ALARIS MEDICAL INC
8-K, 1998-07-30
SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                    Filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                          July 30, 1998 (July 17, 1998)
               (Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported))

                              ALARIS MEDICAL, INC.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)



                                    Delaware
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


                                    33-26398
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            (Commission File Number)


                                   13-3492624
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        (IRS Employer Identification No.)


                             10221 Wateridge Circle
                               San Diego, CA 92121
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    (Address of principal executive officers)


                                 (619) 458-7000
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


                           Exhibit index is on page __








<PAGE>



ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

         On July 17, 1998, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger
(the "Agreement") entered into on June 24, 1998 by Registrant, ALARIS Medical
Systems, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Registrant ("AMS"), Herbert J.
Semler and Shirley L. Semler, Instromedix, Inc. ("Instromedix") and the other
shareholders of Instromedix, AMS acquired all of the outstanding common stock of
Instromedix (the "Acquisition"). Instromedix was subsequently merged with and
into AMS.

         The total consideration for the Acquisition included (i) $51
million in cash, subject to certain adjustments, (ii) the assumption of
indebtedness of Instromedix of approximately $5.1 million and (iii)
approximately $1 million of transaction expenses incurred by Instromedix in
connection with the Acquisition.


         The foregoing description of the Agreement is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit 2(a).


ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.


         (c)      Exhibits.

                  Exhibit 2(a)    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June
                                  24, 1998 by and among ALARIS Medical,
                                  Inc., ALARIS Medical Systems, Inc.,
                                  Herbert J. and Shirley L. Semler,
                                  Instromedix, Inc. and the shareholders of
                                  Instromedix, Inc.

                  Exhibit         2(b)  Agreement  to  furnish  to the
                                  Securities and Exchange  Commission,
                                  upon request,  omitted schedules and
                                  exhibits to the  Agreement  and Plan
                                  of Merger.

                  Exhibit 99(a)   Summary Financial Data of Instromedix,
                                  Inc.

                  Exhibit 99(b)   News Release issued by ALARIS Medical,
                                  Inc. dated June 25, 1998.

                  Exhibit 99(c)   News Release issued by ALARIS Medical,
                                  Inc. dated July 20, 1998.






<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES


          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                                    ALARIS MEDICAL, INC.
                                                       (Registrant)



Date:  July 29, 1998                                By:  /s/ William J. Mercer
                                                         William J. Mercer
                                                         President and CEO








<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 2(a)               Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June     Page ---
                           24, 1998 by and among ALARIS Medical,
                           Inc., ALARIS Medical Systems, Inc.,
                           Herbert J. and Shirley L. Semler,
                           Instromedix, Inc. and the shareholders
                           of Instromedix, Inc.

Exhibit 2(b)               Agreement to furnish to the Securities      Page __
                           and Exchange Commission, upon request,
                           omitted schedules and exhibits to the
                           Agreement and Plan of Merger.

Exhibit 99(a)              Summary Financial Data of Instromedix,      Page __
                           Inc.

Exhibit 99(b)              News Release issued by ALARIS Medical,      Page __
                           Inc. dated June 25, 1998.

Exhibit 99(c)              News Release issued by ALARIS Medical,      Page __
                           Inc. dated July 20, 1998.
















                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


                                  By and Among


                              ALARIS MEDICAL, INC.


                          ALARIS MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.


                        HERBERT J. AND SHIRLEY L. SEMLER


                                INSTROMEDIX, INC.


                                     AND THE


                                  SHAREHOLDERS







                               Dated June 24, 1998






<PAGE>


                                                                        PAGE


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                       Page

RECITALS                                                                 1

ARTICLE I

         THE MERGER                                                      1
         1.1.     The Merger                                             1
         1.2.     Effective Time of the Merger                           1
         1.3.     The Closing                                            2
         1.4.     Articles of Incorporation                              2
         1.5.     Bylaws                                                 2
         1.6.     Directors and Officers                                 2

ARTICLE II

         EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF
         MERGER SUB AND THE COMPANY; MERGER CONSIDERATION;
         POST-CLOSING ADJUSTMENT                                         2
         2.1.     Effect on Capital Stock and Options                    2
         2.2.     Closing Balance Sheet Adjustment                       3
         2.3.     Surrender and Payment                                  5
         2.4.     Taking Necessary Action; Further Action                6

ARTICLE III

         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
         CONCERNING THE SEMLERS AND THE SHAREHOLDERS                     6
         3.1.     Ownership of Shareholders' Stock                       6
         3.2.     Authority; Enforceability                              7
         3.3.     Prohibitions                                           7
         3.4.     Consents and Approvals of Governmental Authorities     7

ARTICLE IV

         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
         CONCERNING THE COMPANY                                          7
         4.1.     Description and Lists                                  8
         4.2.     Organization; Authority; Enforceability                10
         4.3.     Capitalization                                         11
         4.4.     No Violation                                           11
         4.5.     Consents and Approvals of Governmental Authorities     12
         4.6.     Financial Statements; No Undisclosed Liabilities;
                  Company Debt                                           12
         4.7.     Arrangements with Shareholders, Officers or Employees  13
         4.8.     Absence of Certain Changes                             13


                                      -ii-

<PAGE>


                                                                       PAGE


         4.9.     Title to Property; Leases; Encumbrances                15
         4.10.    Intellectual Property                                  15
         4.11.    Litigation; Compliance with Laws                       16
         4.12.    Environmental Matters                                  17
         4.13.    Tax Matters                                            18
         4.14.    Benefit Plans                                          21
         4.15.    Labor Matters                                          22
         4.16.    Purchase and Sale Commitments                          23
         4.17.    Insurance                                              23
         4.18.    Contracts                                              23
         4.19.    Finders and Investment Bankers                         23
         4.20.    Approvals                                              23
         4.21.    Products                                               24
         4.22.    Distribution Agreements                                24
         4.23.    Regulatory Matters                                     24
         4.24.    Millennium Compliance                                  26

ARTICLE V

         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
         OF PURCHASER                                                    26
         5.1.     Organization; Authority and Enforceability.            26
         5.2.     No Violation                                           27
         5.3.     Consents and Approvals of Governmental Authorities     27
         5.4.     Finders and Investment Bankers                         27
         5.5.     Litigation                                             27
         5.6.     Merger Sub                                             27

ARTICLE VI

         CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CLOSING                             28
         6.1.     Conduct of Business of the Company                     28
         6.2.     Access to Information and Facilities                   29

ARTICLE VII

         ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS                                           30
         7.1.     Advice of Change                                       30
         7.2.     Public Announcements                                   31
         7.3.     Books and Records                                      31
         7.4.     Senior Credit Agreement; Financing                     31
         7.5.     Consents and Approvals                                 32
         7.6.     Cooperation Regarding Benefit Plans                    32


                                      -iii-

<PAGE>


                                                                          PAGE


         7.7.     Satisfaction of Closing Conditions                        32
         7.8.     Tax Covenants                                             32
         7.9.     No Solicitation                                           34
         7.10.    Additional Instruments; Further Assurances                34
         7.11.    Antitrust Notification                                    34
         7.12.    CompressAR Business                                       34
         7.13.    Real Estate Matters                                       35
         7.14.    Option Exercise Period; Option Cancellation Agreements    35
         7.15.    FIRPTA Certificate                                        35
         7.16.    Creation of Merger Sub                                    35
         7.17.    Shareholder Indebtedness                                  36
         7.18.    Related Party Agreements                                  36
         7.19.    Agreements Regarding Katchis Patent                       36

ARTICLE VIII

         CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF EACH PARTY                            37
         8.1.     HSR Act                                                   37
         8.2.     No Action or Proceeding; Compliance with Law              37

ARTICLE IX

         CONDITIONS TO PURCHASER'S OBLIGATIONS                              37
         9.1.     Representations and Warranties                            37
         9.2.     Performance                                               37
         9.3.     Legal Opinions                                            38
         9.4.     Required Consents                                         38
         9.5.     Certificates                                              38
         9.6.     Resignation                                               38
         9.7.     Signature Authority                                       38
         9.8.     Waiver of Rights                                          38
         9.9.     Non-Competition Agreement                                 38
         9.10.    Certification of Minimum Shareholders' Equity and Net
                  Current Assets                                            38
         9.11.    Company Debt Payoff; Releases                             39
         9.12.    Option Cancellation Agreements                            39

ARTICLE X

         CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDERS
                                                                            39
         10.1.    Representations and Warranties                            39
         10.2.    Performance                                               40
         10.3.    Opinion of Purchaser's Counsel                            40

                                      -iv-

<PAGE>


                                                                          PAGE


         10.4.    Certificates                                              40
         10.5.    Payment of Company Debt; Release of Guarantee             40
         10.6.    Merger Sub                                                40

ARTICLE XI

         TERMINATION                                                        40

ARTICLE XII

         NATURE AND SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS
         AND WARRANTIES; INDEMNIFICATION                                    41
         12.1.    Survival of Representations, Warranties, etc.             41
         12.2.    Semlers' and Shareholders' Agreement to Indemnify         41
         12.3.    Parent and Purchaser's Agreement to Indemnify             43
         12.4.    Third Party Claims                                        43
         12.5.    Effect of Taxes and Insurance                             45
         12.6.    Purchase Price Adjustment                                 45
         12.7.    Due Date; Interest                                        45
         12.8.    Remedies Exclusive                                        45

ARTICLE XIII

         MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS                                           45
         13.1.    Representations/Covenants of the Shareholders and the
                  Company                                                   45
         13.2.    Amendment and Modification                                46
         13.3.    Waiver                                                    46
         13.4.    Notices                                                   46
         13.5.    Binding Nature; Assignment                                48
         13.6.    Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction                 48
         13.7.    Transactional Expenses                                    49
         13.8.    Counterparts                                              49
         13.9.    Headings; References                                      49
         13.10.   Entire Agreement                                          49
         13.11.   Drafting Conventions                                      49
         13.12.   Arbitration                                               49
         13.13.   Appointment of Shareholder Representative                 50

ARTICLE XIV

         GLOSSARY                                                           51
         14.1.    Definitions                                               51
         14.2.    Terms Defined Elsewhere in the Agreement                  59


                                       -v-

<PAGE>



                                LIST OF SCHEDULES


Schedule 3.1                 Ownership of Shareholders' Stock

Schedule 4.1(a)              Real Property

Schedule 4.1(b)              Intellectual Property

Schedule 4.1(c)              Material Contracts

Schedule 4.1(d)              Employees and Compensation Arrangements

Schedule 4.1(e)              Banks

Schedule 4.1(f)              Capital Expenditures

Schedule 4.1(g)              Major Customers, Suppliers and Distributors

Schedule 4.1(h)              Product Liability and Personal Injury Claims

Schedule 4.1(i)              Powers of Attorney

Schedule 4.1(j)              Insurance

Schedule 4.1(k)              Product Warranties

Schedule 4.1(l)              Approvals

Schedule 4.1(m)              Distribution and Development Agreements

Schedule 4.2                 Organization; Authority; Enforceability

Schedule 4.3                 Capitalization

Schedule 4.4                 No Violation of the Company

Schedule 4.6                 Financial Statements; No Undisclosed Liabilities

Schedule 4.7                 Arrangements with Shareholders, Officers or
                             Employees

Schedule 4.8                 Absence of Certain Changes

Schedule 4.9                 Title to Property; Leases; Encumbrances

Schedule 4.10                Intellectual Property


                                      -vi-

<PAGE>



Schedule 4.11                Litigation; Compliance With Laws

Schedule 4.12                Environmental Matters

Schedule 4.13                Tax Matters

Schedule 4.14                Benefit Plans

Schedule 4.15                Labor Matters

Schedule 4.16                Purchase and Sale Commitments

Schedule 4.18                Contracts

Schedule 4.20                Material Approvals (Except As Set Forth on
                             Schedule 4.23)

Schedule 4.21                Products

Schedule 4.23                Regulatory Matters

Schedule 7.12                CompressAR Business Assets and Liabilities



                                      -vii-

<PAGE>



                                LIST OF EXHIBITS


Exhibit A             Shareholder Agreement and Consent

Exhibit B             Articles of Merger

Exhibit C-1           Option Cancellation Agreement(Instromedix,Inc. Employees)

Exhibit C-2           Option Cancellation Agreement (Gregory T. Semler)

Exhibit D             Promissory Note

Exhibit E             Ralin License Agreement

Exhibit F             Assignment and Assumption Agreement

Exhibit G             Transition Services Agreement

Exhibit H-1           Consent and Estoppel Certificate for Oregon Property

Exhibit H-2           Consent and Estoppel Certificate for Washington Property

Exhibit I-1           Opinion of Latham & Watkins

Exhibit I-2           Opinion of Stoel Rives LLP

Exhibit J             Officer and Secretary Certificate

Exhibit K             Release and Waiver (Semlers, Shareholders, Board of
                      Directors)

Exhibit L-1           Non-Competition Agreement (Semlers)

Exhibit L-2           Non-Competition Agreement (Gregory T. Semler)

Exhibit M             Closing Certificate

Exhibit N             Opinion of Gordon Altman Butowsky Weitzen Shalov & Wein

Exhibit O             Merger Sub Signature Page


                                     -viii-

<PAGE>



                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER ("Agreement") dated June 24, 1998, by and
among ALARIS Medical,  Inc., a Delaware corporation  ("Parent"),  ALARIS Medical
Systems,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation  ("Purchaser"),  Instromedix,  Inc.,  an
Oregon  corporation  (the  "Company"),  Herbert J.  Semler and Shirley L. Semler
(together,  the  "Semlers")  and each person named on the signature  page hereof
under the caption  "Shareholders"  (each, a "Shareholder" and collectively,  the
"Shareholders").  Unless  otherwise  defined herein,  each capitalized term used
herein shall have the meaning attributed to it in the Glossary.


                              W I T N E S S E T H

          WHEREAS,  upon the terms and  subject to the  conditions  set forth in
this Agreement, Purchaser and the Company will enter into a business combination
transaction  pursuant  to  which  a  newly-formed,  wholly-owned  Subsidiary  of
Purchaser ("Merger Sub") will merge with and into the Company  ("Merger"),  with
the  Company  continuing  as  the  surviving   corporation  and  a  wholly-owned
Subsidiary of Purchaser ("Surviving Corporation");

          WHEREAS,  the board of directors of each of Parent,  Purchaser and the
Company have:  (i)  determined  that the Merger would be fair to and in the best
interests of their respective  shareholders and (ii) approved this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby; and

          WHEREAS,  concurrently with the execution hereof and as a condition to
Parent and Purchaser  entering into this Agreement,  all of the  shareholders of
the Company have  entered  into a  Shareholder  Agreement  and Consent  attached
hereto as Exhibit A ("Shareholder Consent").

          NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the premises and of the mutual
representations, warranties, agreements and covenants hereinafter set forth, the
parties hereto, desiring to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

          1.1. The Merger.  At the  Effective  Time and subject to the terms and
conditions  contained  herein,  Merger  Sub  shall be  merged  with and into the
Company in accordance with the OBCA, the separate  existence of Merger Sub shall
thereupon  cease,  and the Company  shall be the  Surviving  Corporation  of the
Merger  and  shall  succeed  to  and  assume  all  of  the  rights,  properties,
franchises,  liabilities  and  obligations of Merger Sub in accordance  with the
OBCA and this Agreement.

          1.2. Effective Time of the Merger. Subject to the
provisions of this Agreement, the parties hereto shall cause the Merger to be
consummated by filing articles of merger in the form


                                       -1-

<PAGE>



of Exhibit B ("Articles  of Merger") with the Secretary of State of the State of
Oregon,  as provided in the OBCA, as soon as practicable on or after the Closing
Date.  The  Merger  shall  become  effective  upon  such  filing or at such time
thereafter as is provided in the Articles of Merger ("Effective Time").

          1.3. The Closing. The closing of the transactions  contemplated hereby
("Closing")  shall take place at 10:00 a.m. San Francisco time at the offices of
Latham & Watkins, 505 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California, on the later
of (a)  July  7,  1998 or (b) the  second  business  day  after  termination  or
expiration of the waiting  period (or any extension  thereof)  applicable to the
Merger under HSR,  unless another date, time or place is agreed to in writing by
Purchaser  and the Company  (the  "Scheduled  Closing  Date").  The date of such
Closing is referred to herein as the "Closing  Date".  The parties  hereto agree
that they will take all  commercially  reasonable  action necessary to close the
transactions contemplated hereby on or before the Scheduled Closing Date.

          1.4. Articles of  Incorporation.  The articles of incorporation of the
Company  as in  effect  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time  shall be the
articles of  incorporation of the Surviving  Corporation,  until duly amended in
accordance with the terms thereof and the OBCA.

          1.5. Bylaws.  The bylaws of the Company as in effect immediately prior
to the Effective  Time shall be the bylaws of the Surviving  Corporation,  until
duly  amended  in  accordance  with  the  terms  thereof,  of  the  articles  of
incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and of the OBCA.

          1.6. Directors and Officers.  The directors and officers of Merger Sub
at the  Effective  Time shall be the  directors  and  officers of the  Surviving
Corporation  until  the  successors  of all such  persons  shall  have been duly
elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death,  resignation or
removal in accordance with the Surviving Corporation's articles of incorporation
and bylaws.


                                   ARTICLE II

                  EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF
                MERGER SUB AND THE COMPANY; MERGER CONSIDERATION;
                             POST-CLOSING ADJUSTMENT

          2.1.  Effect on Capital Stock and Options.  At the Effective  Time, by
virtue of the  Merger  and  without  any action on the part of the holder of any
shares of Stock or the holder of any shares of capital stock of Merger Sub:

          (a)  Each  share  of the  capital  stock  of  Merger  Sub  issued  and
outstanding  immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and
become one fully paid and  non-assessable  share of common stock, par value $.01
per share, of the Surviving Corporation;

          (b) Each share of Stock  which is issued and  outstanding  immediately
prior to the Effective Time (subject to Section  2.1(c)) shall be converted into
the  right  to  receive  the  Per  Share  Merger  Consideration  subject  to the
provisions of Section 2.3;


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



          (c) Each share of Stock that is owned by the Company shall be canceled
and retired and shall cease to exist and no consideration  shall be delivered or
deliverable in exchange therefor; and

          (d) (i) Each  outstanding and vested option or other Right to purchase
Stock (each, an "Option" and collectively,  "Options") under the Company's Stock
Option Plan, the holder of which shall have entered into an option  cancellation
agreement ("Option Cancellation Agreement") substantially in the form of Exhibit
C-1, shall be canceled in accordance with the terms of such Option  Cancellation
Agreement in exchange  for the right to receive from  Purchaser on behalf of the
Surviving Corporation on the first business day after the Effective Time ("First
Business  Day") an amount  in cash  (subject  to  reduction  for any  applicable
withholding Taxes) equal to the Option Value;

          (ii) (x) Each  outstanding  Option  (whether or not vested)  under the
Company's  Stock Option Plan, the holder of which shall not have entered into an
Option  Cancellation  Agreement,  and (y) the unvested portion of any Option the
holder of which shall have entered into an Option Cancellation Agreement,  shall
be canceled  in  accordance  with the terms of such Option and the Stock  Option
Plan without regard to whether the Effective Time occurs prior to the expiration
of the Option Notice Period;

          (iii) The Semler Option shall be canceled in accordance with the terms
of
the Option  Cancellation  Agreement  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  C-2
executed by Gregory T. Semler  concurrently with the execution of this Agreement
in exchange for the right to receive on the First Business Day from Purchaser on
behalf of the Surviving  Corporation an amount in cash (subject to reduction for
any applicable withholding Taxes) equal to the Option Value;

          (iv) On the business day  immediately  preceding the Closing Date, the
Company shall deliver to Purchaser a certificate  signed by Herbert J. Semler in
his capacity as Chief Executive  Officer of the Company and Shirley L. Semler in
her capacity as Executive  Vice  President of the Company  indicating:  (A) each
holder of Options that has entered into an Option  Cancellation  Agreement;  (B)
the  aggregate  amount  ("Total  Option  Cancellation  Amount")  payable  by the
Surviving  Corporation  pursuant to the Option  Cancellation  Agreements without
reduction for  applicable  withholding  Taxes and (C) the  aggregate  applicable
withholding Taxes payable with respect thereto.

                  2.2.       Closing Balance Sheet Adjustment.

          (a) Within  sixty (60) days after the Closing  Date,  Purchaser  shall
cause to be prepared in  consultation  with the Shareholder  Representative  and
shall deliver to the Shareholder  Representative  a balance sheet of the Company
as of the close of business  on the  Closing  Date,  which  balance  sheet shall
reflect, among other things, total current assets, total current liabilities and
total shareholders'  equity ("Closing Balance Sheet"). The Closing Balance Sheet
shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied in a manner and using policies
consistent with those utilized in preparing the Financial Statements (so long as
such policies are consistent with GAAP).  The Closing  Balance Sheet:  (i) shall
exclude  the book value of the net assets  (other  than going  concern  value or
other  goodwill) of the  CompressAR  business if such business is transferred to
Newco  pursuant to Section  7.12 (and shall not include any amount paid by Newco
therefor or accruals for any Taxes


                                       -3-

<PAGE>



payable by the  Company as a result of such  transfer);  (ii) shall  provide for
Taxes as though the period commencing  January 1, 1998 and ending on the Closing
Date were a taxable  year  (excluding  Taxes  arising  from the  transfer of the
CompressAR  Net  Assets to Newco if such  assets  are  transferred  pursuant  to
Section 7.12); (iii) shall not reflect any effect of the exercise of any Options
after  the  Balance  Sheet  Date or the  execution  of any  Option  Cancellation
Agreements  and (iv) shall  reflect as a liability the full amount of any Excess
Transactional Expenses (except Excess Transactional  Expenses, if any, that were
subtracted  from the  amounts  paid under the  promissory  notes  referred to in
Section  2.3) but shall not include any other  Transactional  Expenses.  Without
limiting  the  requirement  that all  liabilities  be  reflected  on the Closing
Balance  Sheet,  the parties agree that in preparing the Closing  Balance Sheet,
Company Debt shall be classified as current or long-term  without  regard to the
existence of any default thereunder; provided, however, that all amounts paid at
Closing to satisfy in full the Company Debt (other than principal  classified as
long-term) shall be classified as a current liability.

        (b) If the Shareholder  Representative  does not dispute the amounts set
forth in the  Closing  Balance  Sheet  within  fifteen  (15) days after  receipt
thereof,  the Closing  Balance  Sheet shall be  conclusive.  If the  Shareholder
Representative  disputes any amount set forth in the Closing Balance Sheet,  the
Shareholder  Representative shall so notify Purchaser in writing (specifying his
objections  and the reasons  therefor in reasonable  detail) within fifteen (15)
days following  receipt thereof and the parties will use all reasonable  efforts
to resolve any such  disputes.  If any such  dispute (the amount of the dispute,
hereinafter the "Disputed Amount") cannot promptly be resolved (but in any event
within  fifteen  (15) days after  submission  of the written  objections  of the
Shareholder Representative),  the parties agree that they will submit the matter
to the office of  JAMS/Endispute  located in San Francisco,  California  (or, if
none,  then the  office of  JAMS/Endispute  located  closest  to San  Francisco,
California).  The resolution of the dispute by JAMS/Endispute will be conclusive
and binding upon the parties.  The fees and expenses  incurred by the parties in
connection  with the  dispute  shall be paid by the  Shareholder  Representative
and/or Purchaser in proportion to the amount: (i) in the case of the Shareholder
Representative,  of the Disputed Amount  determined by JAMS/Endispute to be paid
by the  Shareholders  and (ii) in the case of Purchaser,  of the Disputed Amount
determined  by  JAMS/Endispute  that need not be paid by the  Shareholders.  The
Closing  Balance  Sheet  and the  information  set  forth  thereon,  as  finally
determined  pursuant to this Section 2.2(b),  is hereinafter  referred to as the
"Final Closing Balance Sheet".

          (c) If  either:  (i) the  excess of total  current  assets  over total
current liabilities as set forth on the Final Closing Balance Sheet is less than
$2,750,000  (such  deficit,  the "Net Current  Assets  Shortfall") or (ii) total
shareholder's  equity as shown on the Final  Closing  Balance Sheet is less than
$2,000,000  (such  deficit,  the  "Shareholders'  Equity  Shortfall"),  then the
Semlers  and the Semler  Trusts,  jointly and  severally,  and each of the Other
Shareholders, severally (with respect to each of the Other Shareholders only, to
the  extent  of its  Shareholder  Percentage),  shall be  liable  to pay over to
Purchaser  an amount in cash equal to the excess of: (i) the  greater of the Net
Current Assets  Shortfall or the  Shareholders'  Equity  Shortfall over (ii) the
amount referred to in clause (d) of the definition of Purchase Price.

          (d) Any payment required to be made under Section 2.2(c) shall be made
within  five (5) days after the later of : (i) the final  determination  thereof
either by acceptance of the Closing Balance Sheet or final  JAMS/Endispute award
or (ii) the date the promissory notes delivered pursuant


                                       -4-

<PAGE>



to Section  2.3 are paid in full (the fifth day after the later of such  events,
the "Due Date"),  without  setoff for any other  matter,  by wire transfer to an
account  designated by Purchaser and shall, in addition to such amount,  include
interest on the amount  required to be paid calculated from the date of delivery
of the Closing Balance Sheet through the Due Date at a rate of ten percent (10%)
per annum compounded annually. Any payment to be made pursuant to Section 2.2(c)
which is not made on the Due Date  shall  bear  interest  at the rate of fifteen
percent  (15%) per annum  compounded  annually  from the Due Date until the date
paid.

          2.3. Surrender and Payment.

          (a) Upon surrender to Purchaser by each of the  Shareholders of all of
the  Certificates   representing  shares  of  Stock  owned  of  record  by  such
Shareholder  immediately prior to the Effective Time (or an affidavit  declaring
such  Certificates  lost or stolen in a form reasonably  acceptable to Purchaser
and an indemnity bond issued by a commercial surety company in a form and amount
reasonably  acceptable  to  Purchaser):  (i)  Purchaser  will  deliver  to  each
Shareholder  on behalf of the Surviving  Corporation  an amount in cash equal to
the Initial  Percentage  of the Per Share Merger  Consideration  with respect to
each share of Stock  represented  by such  Shareholder's  Certificates  and (ii)
Parent will deliver to each Shareholder on behalf of the Surviving Corporation a
promissory  note in the form of Exhibit D. Each of the Semler  Trusts  expressly
acknowledges  and agrees  that the  amount of cash  delivered  pursuant  to this
Section 2.3(a) shall be less than the Initial Percentage of the Per Share Merger
Consideration  (if the CompressAR Net Assets are purchased by Newco) in order to
reflect the payment for the CompressAR Net Assets pursuant to Section 7.12. Each
of the Semlers, the Semler Trusts,  Parent and Purchaser expressly  acknowledges
and  agrees  that the  full  amount  of the  Shareholder  Indebtedness  shall be
satisfied in full through  offset of the amounts  payable  under the  promissory
notes issuable to each of the Semler Trusts  pursuant to this Section 2.3(a) for
each  promissory  note in an  amount  equal to fifty  percent  (50%) of the full
amount of the Shareholder Indebtedness.

          (b)  After  the  Effective  Time,  each   Certificate   shall,   until
surrendered, represent for all purposes only the right to receive such Per Share
Merger Consideration as provided herein.

          (c) After the Effective Time,  there shall be no further  registration
of transfers of shares of Stock  outstanding  prior to the Effective  Time.  If,
after  the  Effective  Time,  certificates  representing  shares  of  Stock  are
presented to the Surviving Corporation, they shall be canceled and exchanged for
the Per Share Merger  Consideration  in accordance with the procedures set forth
in this Article II.

          (d) Any  portion of the Merger  Consideration  made  available  to the
Surviving  Corporation that remains  unclaimed by the holders of shares of Stock
six (6)  months  after  the  Effective  Time  shall  remain  with the  Surviving
Corporation,  and any such holder who has not  exchanged his shares of Stock for
the Per Share Merger  Consideration  in accordance with this Article II prior to
that time shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation for payment of
the Per Share Merger  Consideration in respect of his shares,  and the Surviving
Corporation shall be obligated to pay such Per Share Merger  Consideration,  but
such holder shall have no greater right against the Surviving  Corporation  than
may be accorded to general creditors under applicable law.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing, the Surviving Corporation shall not be liable to any holder of shares


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



of  Stock  for any  amount  paid to a public  official  pursuant  to  applicable
abandoned property laws. Any portion of the funds remaining unclaimed by holders
of shares of Stock as of a date which is immediately  prior to such time as such
portion would otherwise escheat to or become property of any governmental entity
shall,  to the extent  permitted by applicable  law,  become the property of the
Surviving  Corporation  free and clear of any claim or  interest  of any  person
previously entitled thereto.

          (e) On the Final Payment Date, Parent shall deposit with the Surviving
Corporation  an amount of cash  sufficient to pay in full the  promissory  notes
delivered  to the  Shareholders  pursuant to Section  2.3(a) and amounts for the
initial cash  payment for shares of Stock not  tendered as of the Final  Payment
Date, if any. Surviving  Corporation shall, for a period of six months following
the Closing Date, or until such time as all  promissory  notes issued  hereunder
have been fully paid and retired, maintain sufficient working capital to pay the
aggregate  sum due and  owing  under all  outstanding  promissory  notes  issued
hereunder.

          2.4. Taking Necessary Action; Further Action. Parent,  Purchaser,  the
Company,  the Semlers and the  Shareholders,  respectively,  shall take all such
action as may be necessary or  appropriate  in order to effectuate the Merger as
promptly  as possible  following  the  Closing  Date.  If, at any time after the
Effective  Time,  any further  action is necessary or desirable to carry out the
purposes  of this  Agreement  and to vest the  Surviving  Corporation  with full
right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges,  powers
and  franchises  of  either of  Merger  Sub or the  Company,  the  officers  and
directors  of such  corporations  are  fully  authorized  in the  name of  their
corporation or otherwise to take, and shall take, all such action.


                                   ARTICLE III

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                   CONCERNING THE SEMLERS AND THE SHAREHOLDERS

The Semlers,  the Semler Trusts and the Company,  jointly and severally,  hereby
represent and warrant to Parent and Purchaser that the  statements  contained in
this Article III are true and  correct.  Each of the Other  Shareholders  hereby
represents and warrants to Parent and Purchaser that the statements contained in
this  Article  III only  with  respect  to  himself  are true and  correct.  The
Schedules delivered pursuant to this Article III shall be arranged in paragraphs
corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs  contained in this Article
III and the disclosure in any paragraph  shall qualify other  paragraphs in this
Article  III (with the  exception  of  Schedule  3.1) to the  extent  that it is
clearly  apparent from a reading of such  disclosure  that it also  qualifies or
applies to such other paragraphs.

          3.1.  Ownership of  Shareholders'  Stock.  Each of the Semlers and the
Shareholders is the owner,  beneficially (other than Capital  Consultants,  Inc.
("CCI"))  and of  record,  of the  number  of  shares  of Stock as set  forth on
Schedule  4.3,  and,  except  as set  forth on  Schedule  3.1,  there  exists no
Encumbrance of any kind with respect to such shares of each Shareholder's Stock.
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1,  neither the Semlers nor any Shareholder is
a party to any shareholders  agreement,  voting trust or other voting or similar
agreement with respect to the Stock.


                                       -6-

<PAGE>



          3.2.   Authority;   Enforceability.   Each  of  the  Semlers  and  the
Shareholders  has the full right,  capacity,  power and  authority to enter into
this Agreement and the Documents  executed and delivered by such Shareholders or
the Semlers, as the case may be, and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby.  This Agreement and the Documents  executed and delivered by
the Semlers and the  Shareholders  have been duly  executed and delivered by the
Semlers and such  Shareholders  and  constitute  valid and  binding  obligations
enforceable  against the Semlers and the  Shareholders  in accordance with their
terms.

          3.3.  Prohibitions.  After giving effect to Section 7.18,  neither the
execution and delivery of this  Agreement or any of the  Documents  executed and
delivered by the Semlers or by any  Shareholder,  the performance by the Semlers
or by each  Shareholder of the  obligations  hereunder and  thereunder,  nor the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby or thereby will: (a) with
or without the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both,  violate, or be
in  conflict  with,  or  constitute  a default  under,  or cause or  permit  the
termination  or the  acceleration  of the maturity of, any debt or obligation of
either  of  the  Semlers  or any  Shareholder  or  require  the  payment  of any
pre-payment  or other  penalty;  (b)  require  notice to or the  consent  of any
Person, including,  without limitation, any party to any agreement,  commitment,
lease, license or other arrangement, including, without limitation, any right of
first  refusal  or  similar  right,  to  which  either  of  the  Semlers  or any
Shareholder is a party,  or by which the properties of any Shareholder or either
of the Semlers are bound or subject; (c) result in the creation or imposition of
any security interest, lien, or other encumbrance upon any property or assets of
either of the Semlers or any  Shareholder  under any  agreement or commitment to
which he is a party,  or by which the properties of any Shareholder or either of
the  Semlers  are bound or  subject  or (d)  violate  any  statute or law or any
judgment,  decree,  order,  regulation  or rule  of any  court  or  Governmental
Authority to which either of the Semlers or any Shareholder or the properties of
any Shareholder or either of the Semlers are bound or subject.

          3.4. Consents and Approvals of Governmental  Authorities.  No consent,
approval or authorization of, or declaration,  filing or registration  with, any
Governmental  Authority  is  required  to be made or  obtained  by either of the
Semlers or any  Shareholder in connection  with the execution or delivery by the
Semlers or any  Shareholder  of this  Agreement  or the  Documents  executed and
delivered by the Semlers or any Shareholder, as the case may be, the performance
by the Semlers or any Shareholder of his obligations  hereunder or thereunder or
the consummation by either of the Semlers or any Shareholder of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, other than pursuant to the HSR Act.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                             CONCERNING THE COMPANY

The Semlers, the Semler Trusts and the Company,  jointly and severally, and each
of the Other Shareholders, severally, hereby represent and warrant to Parent and
Purchaser that the statements contained in this Article IV are true and correct;
provided,  that  the  representations  and  warranties  of  each  of  the  Other
Shareholders  contained in this  Article IV are made to the actual  knowledge of
each of such Other Shareholders only with respect to such Other Shareholder,


                                       -7-

<PAGE>



regardless of whether such  representations  or  warranties  are qualified as to
knowledge or due inquiry.  The Schedules  delivered  pursuant to this Article IV
shall be arranged in  paragraphs  corresponding  to the  numbered  and  lettered
paragraphs  contained in this  Article IV and the  disclosure  in any  paragraph
shall  qualify  other  paragraphs  in this  Article  IV (with the  exception  of
Schedules 4.1(b),  4.3, 4.10 and 4.23) to the extent that it is clearly apparent
from a reading  of such  disclosure  that it also  qualifies  or applies to such
other  paragraphs.  Whenever a statement  in this Article IV is qualified by "to
the knowledge of any Person",  or a similar  phrase,  it is intended to indicate
that  such  Person  does  not  have  actual   knowledge  of  the  inaccuracy  or
incompleteness  of such  statement.  Whenever a statement  in this Article IV is
qualified by "to the Company's  knowledge",  or a similar phrase, it is intended
to  indicate  that none of the  executive  officers  of the  Company  has actual
knowledge  of the  inaccuracy  of such  statement.  Whenever a statement in this
Article IV is qualified by "to the knowledge",  or a similar phrase,  of CCI, it
is intended to indicate  that, as to CCI,  neither Jeff Grayson nor Linda Lucas,
as senior  officers  of CCI,  has actual  knowledge  of the  inaccuracy  of such
statement.

          4.1.  Description and Lists.  Schedules  4.1(a) through 4.1(m) contain
the  following  information  and all  such  information  is  true,  correct  and
complete:

          (a) Real  Property.  Schedule  4.1(a)  sets  forth:  (i) a list of all
interests in real property owned, leased, subleased or otherwise used or claimed
by the  Company,  stating the  location of such  property  and (ii) the name and
address of each  landlord  under the leased  real  property;  (iii) the  current
rental payments; (iv) expiration dates of the leases and (v) any renewal options
or purchase options;

          (b)  Intellectual  Property.  Schedule  4.1(b)  sets  forth a list and
description of all franchises,  patents,  trademarks,  service marks, tradenames
(whether registered or unregistered),  copyrights,  corporate names and licenses
used in the conduct of the  Company's  business,  or in which the Company has an
interest  ("Listed   Intellectual   Property"),   indicating  any  applications,
registrations,  or filings  associated  therewith  and  indicating  whether such
Listed  Intellectual  Property  is owned or  licensed,  whether the Company is a
licensor of or licensee  thereof and also  stating the  expiration  dates of the
patent or license underlying such Listed Intellectual Property;

          (c) Material Contracts. Schedule 4.1(c) sets forth:

          (i) a list of each contract, agreement, commitment or understanding to
which the  Company is a party or to which the Company or its  properties  are or
may be bound or  subject,  relating to any  merger,  reorganization,  bankruptcy
proceeding,   business   acquisition,   transaction  or  transactions   for  the
acquisition of all or any substantial portion of the stock,  securities,  assets
or business of any Person or involving  the  assumption  of the liability of any
Person;

         (ii) a list of each contract,  agreement,  commitment or understanding,
in each case to which the Company is a party or to which it or the properties of
the Company may be bound or subject,  which provide for a period of  performance
which extends beyond December 31, 2000 or involves any obligation to make
payments or right to obtain receipts, after the date of this Agreement, in each
case in excess of $100,000;



                                       -8-

<PAGE>



          (iii)   a  list  of  all   contracts,   agreements,   commitments   or
understandings not
listed in any other Schedule that are material to the business of the Company or
involve any of the  following,  in each case, to which the Company is a party or
to which the Company or its properties  are or may be bound or subject:  (x) any
partnership,  joint venture or other similar  agreement or arrangement;  (y) any
agreement  that  limits  the  freedom  of the  Company to compete in any line of
business or with any person or in any area or to own, operate,  sell,  transfer,
pledge or  otherwise  dispose of or encumber  any assets or which would so limit
the  freedom  of  Purchaser  or its  Affiliates  after  the  Closing  or (z) any
agreement,  arrangement  or  understanding  currently  in  effect  (or which may
hereafter result in or require performance,  obligation,  duty or payment of any
kind) with or for the benefit of any of the Company's shareholders,  the Semlers
or any relative or spouse of any of the foregoing (including all Indebtedness or
similar  obligation  to the  Company  of any of  such  Persons,  specifying  the
outstanding principal amount and accrued interest as of the date hereof);

          (d)  Employees and  Compensation  Arrangements.  Schedule  4.1(d) sets
forth a list of: (i) the job title, current annual salary rates of, and required
and/or maximum bonuses payable to, all present officers, employees and agents of
the  Company  having  an annual  compensation  in  excess  of  $75,000  per year
(including  commissions,  benefits  and  bonuses)  and  (ii) all  employment  or
compensation agreements with each officer and employee of the Company (including
all severance, "stay-put" and similar agreements and all agreements which result
in the creation or occurrence of any right, duty or obligation based upon, or as
a result of, any change of control of the Company or its assets);

          (e) Banks.  Schedule 4.1(e) sets forth:  (i) the name of every bank in
which the  Company  has an account or safe  deposit  box;  (ii) the  identifying
numbers of all such  accounts and safe deposit  boxes and (iii) the names of all
persons having power to borrow,  discount debt obligations,  cash or draw checks
or otherwise act on behalf of the Company in any dealings with such banks;

          (f) Capital Expenditures. Schedule 4.1(f) sets forth a list of each of
the  Company's  approved  capital   expenditure   projects   (including  without
limitation,   each  construction   project)  involving  in  excess  of  $100,000
including:  (i) projects  which have been  commenced but are not yet  completed;
(ii) projects  which have not been  commenced and (iii) projects which have been
completed in respect of which payment has been made, within the past twelve (12)
months.

          (g) Major Customers, Suppliers and Distributors.  Schedule 4.1(g) sets
forth a list of the ten (10) largest  customers of the Company  (based on annual
sales),  the ten (10) largest  suppliers to the Company and the ten (10) largest
distributors for the Company, for the year ended December 31, 1997;

          (h) Products  Liability and Personal  Injury Claims.  Schedule  4.1(h)
sets forth a list of all claims for damages for  products  liability or personal
injury due to,  resulting from or associated  with, any product  manufactured or
supplied  by the  Company,  now  pending  against the Company or which have been
pending against the Company at any time during the past three years;



                                       -9-

<PAGE>



           (i)  Powers of  Attorney.  Schedule  4.1(i)  sets forth a list of the
names of all persons  holding  powers of attorney from the Company or authorized
to act as agents for the Company;

          (j)  Insurance.  Schedule  4.1(j) sets forth a list of all policies of
fire, liability,  title, products liability and other forms of insurance held by
the Company  and all binders of  insurance  and all  programs of self  insurance
which relate to the Company,  together with a list and brief  description of all
claims of the Company which have been submitted to any insurer but have not been
finally disposed of;

          (k) Product Warranties. Schedule 4.1(k) sets forth the
forms of the Company's product warranties that are currently applicable to
products sold by the Company or in respect of
which the Company is obligated;

          (l)  Approvals.  Schedule  4.1(l)  sets  forth a list of all  material
Approvals (including FDA premarket  clearances) held by the Company or necessary
to the  operation of the  Company's  business  (provided  that,  with respect to
matters related to Environmental Laws the same may be listed on Schedule 4.12);

          (m) Manufacturing,  Distribution and Development Agreements.  Schedule
4.1(m) sets forth a list of all material agreements, contracts or understandings
currently   in  effect  to  which  the  Company  is  a  party   related  to  the
manufacturing,  distribution  or  development of any products or services of the
Company or any other Person.

The Company has made available to Purchaser true, correct and complete copies of
all documents,  contracts,  instruments and agreements  which are referred to in
Schedules 4.1(a) through 4.1(m) and all amendments,  modifications,  supplements
or renewals with respect thereto.

           4.2. Organization; Authority; Enforceability.

          (a) (i) The  Company  is a  corporation  duly  organized  and  validly
existing  under  the laws of the State of Oregon  with all  requisite  power and
authority to own,  lease and operate its assets and  properties  and to carry on
its business as currently  being  conducted.  Complete and correct copies of the
articles of  incorporation  and bylaws,  each as amended to date, of the Company
have been delivered to Purchaser.  Such articles of incorporation and bylaws are
in full force and effect. The Company has no Subsidiaries.

          (ii) The  Company is duly  qualified  or  licensed to do business as a
foreign
corporation in each  jurisdiction in which the nature of the business  conducted
by it or the  character  or  location  of the  properties  owned or leased by it
require such qualification, except to the extent the failure to so qualify would
not have a Material  Adverse  Effect with respect to the  Company.  Schedule 4.2
sets  forth a true and  complete  list of all such  jurisdictions  in which  the
Company is qualified or licensed to do business.

          (b) The Company has all  requisite  corporate  power and  authority to
execute and deliver this  Agreement and the Documents  executed and delivered by
the Company, to perform its


                                      -10-

<PAGE>



obligations   hereunder  and  thereunder  and  to  consummate  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby and thereby.  The execution and delivery of this  Agreement
and the Documents executed and delivered by the Company,  the performance of the
Company's  obligations  hereunder and  thereunder  and its  consummation  of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including,  without limitation the
Merger,  have been  approved by the vote of  one-hundred  percent  (100%) of the
combined voting power of the Company's  shareholders pursuant to the Shareholder
Consents and the unanimous  vote of the Company's  Board of Directors.  No other
corporate  actions or  proceedings  are necessary to authorize the execution and
delivery of this  Agreement  or the  Documents  executed  and  delivered  by the
Company or the  performance  by the  Company  of its  obligations  hereunder  or
thereunder,  including,  without  limitation,  the Merger,  and,  assuming  this
Agreement  constitutes the valid and binding  agreement of Parent and Purchaser,
this  Agreement  constitutes  the valid and binding  obligation  of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

          (c) Upon  consummation  of the  Merger  in  accordance  with the terms
hereof,  Purchaser will be the sole holder of the capital stock of the Surviving
Corporation, free and clear of all Encumbrances, and no Person previously owning
any capital  stock in the  Company,  or any Rights with  respect  thereto,  will
thereafter  own or have any right to acquire,  any of the  capital  stock of the
Surviving Corporation or any Rights with respect thereto; provided that no Other
Shareholder  shall be deemed hereby to make any  representation or warranty with
respect to the ownership or transfer of securities of the Company held of record
or beneficially by any Shareholder other than himself.

          4.3.  Capitalization.  The  authorized  capital  stock of the  Company
consists of  47,500,000  shares of Voting Common  Stock,  no par value  ("Voting
Common  Stock") and 2,500,000  shares of Non-Voting  Common Stock,  no par value
("Non-Voting Common Stock").  As of the date hereof,  47,500,000 shares of Stock
are issued and outstanding,  all of which are duly  authorized,  validly issued,
fully paid and  non-assessable  and not subject to preemptive  rights. As of the
date hereof:  (a) 2,500,000  shares of Non-Voting  Common Stock are reserved for
issuance  pursuant to Options granted and outstanding  under the Company's Stock
Option Plan and (b) no shares of Stock are held by the Company in its  treasury.
Set  forth on  Schedule  4.3 is a true and  complete  list of the names and last
known addresses of the record holders of each outstanding share of Stock and the
number of shares of Stock held by such record holders. Set forth on Schedule 4.3
is a true and complete list of all Rights with respect to the Stock,  including,
without  limitation,  all  outstanding  Options  granted  pursuant to any of the
Benefit  Plans,  the  number  of shares of Stock  for  which  such  options  are
exercisable, the option exercise price and the identity of the optionee, each of
whom is a current  employee of the  Company.  The Stock  listed on Schedule  4.3
constitutes all of the issued and outstanding securities of the Company.  Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.1,  there are no agreements  or  understandings  with
respect to the voting of the Stock. There are no existing Rights relating to the
issuance by the Company of any Stock or any other security of the Company except
as set forth on Schedule 4.3.

          4.4. No Violation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.4 , neither: (a)
the Merger; (b) any other merger, consolidation or other organic transaction the
consummation  of  which  would  result  in the  Company  not  continuing  as the
surviving entity; (c) the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the
Documents  executed and  delivered by the Company;  (d) the  performance  by the
Company of its obligations  hereunder and thereunder nor (e) the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will: (i) violate any provisions
of the articles of


                                      -11-

<PAGE>



incorporation  or bylaws of the  Company;  (ii) with or  without  the  giving of
notice or the passage of time,  or both,  violate,  or be in conflict  with,  or
constitute  a  default  under,  or  cause  or  permit  the  termination  or  the
acceleration  of  the  maturity  of,  any  Indebtedness,   contract,  agreement,
instrument  or  obligation  of  the  Company  or  require  the  payment  of  any
pre-payment  or other  penalty  with  respect  to,  or  otherwise  result in the
creation  or  occurrence  of any right,  duty or  obligation  based upon or as a
result of any change of control of the  Company or its  assets,  under any debt,
contract,  agreement,  instrument or obligation;  (iii) require notice to or the
consent  of  any  party  to  any  agreement  or  commitment,  including  without
limitation,  any lease or license,  to which the Company is a party, or by which
it or  its  properties  is  bound  or  subject  or  permit  any  such  party  to
renegotiate,  receive a refund with respect to,  modify or otherwise  change any
agreement  or  commitment;  (iv)  result in the  creation or  imposition  of any
Encumbrance  upon any property or assets of the Company  under any  agreement or
commitment to which it is a party,  or by which it or its properties is bound or
subject or (v)  violate  any  statute  or law or any  judgment,  decree,  order,
regulation or rule of any court or  Governmental  Authority to which the Company
or its properties is bound or subject.

          4.5. Consents and Approvals of Governmental  Authorities.  No consent,
approval or authorization of, or declaration,  filing or registration  with, any
Governmental  Authority  is  required  to be made or  obtained by the Company in
connection with its execution or delivery of this Agreement,  the performance by
the Company of its obligations hereunder or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated  hereby,  other than  pursuant to the HSR Act and the filing of the
Articles of Merger.

          4.6. Financial Statements; No Undisclosed Liabilities;
Company Debt.

          a) The Company has delivered to Purchaser accurate and complete copies
of the audited  balance  sheets of the Company as at December  31, 1997 and 1996
(such  balance  sheet as of  December  31, 1997  ("Balance  Sheet  Date")  being
referred to herein as the "Balance Sheet") and the related audited statements of
income and retained earnings,  cash flows and shareholders' equity for the years
ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,  together with a report thereon by Price
Waterhouse LLP (collectively, the "Financial Statements"). Each of the Financial
Statements  has been  prepared  in  accordance  with GAAP  consistently  applied
throughout the periods  presented,  and presents fairly the financial  position,
results of operations,  cash flows and shareholders' equity of the Company as at
the dates and for the  periods  indicated.  Schedule  4.6(a)  contains a special
purpose pro forma balance sheet ("1997 Special  Purpose  Balance Sheet") (absent
footnotes),  prepared  in a manner  consistent  with the  Financial  Statements,
setting forth the financial  position of the Company as of December 31, 1997 and
a statement of income and retained  earnings ("1997 Special Purpose Statement of
Operations")  prepared in a manner consistent with the Financial  Statements for
the year ended  December 31, 1997, in each case as if the  CompressAR Net Assets
had not  been,  at such  time or at any time  during  such  period,  part of the
Company and the same fairly  presents the financial  position and  operations of
the Company as of such date and for such period as if the actions required to be
taken by the Company  pursuant to Section 7.12 (without  taking into account the
purchase  price to be paid by Newco  thereunder)  had  occurred on December  31,
1996. In preparing the 1997 Special  Purpose  Balance Sheet and the 1997 Special
Purpose Statement of Operations,  no adjustments have been made to the Financial
Statements  other  than for  amounts  which are  primarily  attributable  to the
CompressAR Net Assets.


                                      -12-

<PAGE>



          (b)  Except:  (i) as  disclosed  in the  Balance  Sheet  or the  notes
thereto;  (ii) incurred in the ordinary  course of business  since  December 31,
1997;  (iii)  disclosed  on  Schedule  4.6 or  Schedule  4.13 or (iv)  otherwise
contemplated by this Agreement, as of the date hereof, the Company does not have
any material  liabilities,  obligations  or  Indebtedness  of any kind  (whether
accrued,  absolute,  contingent or otherwise,  and whether due or to become due,
asserted or unasserted).

          (c) Schedule 4.6(c) sets forth, as of the date hereof, the outstanding
principal  amount,  accrued  and unpaid  interest  and all unpaid fees due or to
become due under the Company Debt.

          4.7. Arrangements with Shareholders,  Officers or Employees. Except as
set forth on Schedule 4.7, the Company does not,  directly or  indirectly,  have
any agreement,  arrangement or understanding with or commitment or obligation to
or from any of its  shareholders,  officers,  directors or employees  (or any of
their respective  Affiliates or Associates),  whether written or oral, except as
disclosed on Schedules 4.1(c) and 4.1(d). Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, no shareholder,  officer, director or employee of the Company (or any
of their  respective  Affiliates or Associates)  is,  directly or indirectly,  a
joint  investor or  co-venturer  with,  or owner,  lessor,  lessee,  licensor or
licensee of any property,  real or personal,  tangible or  intangible,  owned or
used, by the Company and no such person is, directly or indirectly,  a lender to
or debtor of the Company.

           4.8. Absence of Certain Changes.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8
and other  than  having  entered  into the Ralin  License  Agreement,  since the
Balance  Sheet Date,  the Company has  operated its business in the ordinary and
usual course and in a manner consistent with past practice, and without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, there has not been:

          (a) any  change or any  event,  occurrence,  development  or fact that
alone or in the  aggregate  has had, or would  reasonably be expected to have, a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company;

          (b) any amendment to the Company's articles of
incorporation or bylaws;

          (c) any  declaration,  setting  aside  or  payment  of any  dividends,
payments or other  distributions  in cash,  securities or property in respect of
the outstanding Stock;

          (d) any  split,  combinations  or  reclassification  of  Stock  or any
issuance,  sale or other disposition of Stock or any Right with respect to Stock
or any repurchase or redemption of Stock or Right with respect to Stock;

          (e)  any  employment  contract  or  collective  bargaining  agreement,
written  or oral,  entered  into or  materially  modified  by the  Company,  any
increase in or  agreement to increase  the base  compensation  payable to or any
other material  change in employment or compensation or benefits with respect to
any  director,   officer  or  employee,  or  adoption,   repeal,   amendment  or
modification of any bonus,  profit-sharing,  retirement,  deferred compensation,
incentive,  severance  or other  Benefit  Plan,  contract or  commitment  by the
Company;



                                      -13-

<PAGE>



           (f) any incurrence or assumption by the Company of any
material Indebtedness;

           (g)  the  imposition  of  any  material  Encumbrance  (other  than  a
Permitted Lien) upon any of the assets, tangible or intangible, of the Company;

           (h) any  material  damage,  destruction  or loss with  respect to the
properties or assets of the Company, whether or not covered by insurance;

          (i) any payment,  loan or advance of any amount to, or sale,  transfer
or lease of any of the  Company's  assets to, or any  agreement  or  arrangement
with, any  shareholder of the Company or any of their  respective  Affiliates or
Associates;

          (j) any change in the Tax or accounting principles, methods, practices
or  procedures  followed  by the  Company or any change in the  depreciation  or
amortization  policies or rates  theretofore  adopted by the Company,  except as
required by GAAP and disclosed to Purchaser;

          (k) any change or revocation by the Company of any Tax election or any
agreement or settlement with any Taxing Authority;

          (l) any acquisition by the Company by merging or  consolidating  with,
or by purchasing a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner,
any business or any  corporation,  partnership,  association  or other  business
organization or division thereof;

          (m) any sale,  lease,  or other transfer or disposition by the Company
of a material amount of its assets, tangible or intangible,  other than for fair
consideration  in the ordinary  course of business in a manner  consistent  with
past practice;

         (n) any Contract (or series of related  Contracts)  entered into by the
Company  either  involving  more than $50,000  individually  (or $100,000 in the
aggregate) or outside the ordinary course of business;

          (o)  any   acceleration,   termination,   material   modification   or
cancellation  of any  Contract to which the Company is a party or by which it or
its properties is bound;

          (p)  any   capital   expenditure   (or  series  of   related   capital
expenditures) by the Company either involving more than $50,000 individually (or
$100,000 in the aggregate) or outside the ordinary course of business;

          (q) any capital  investment in, any loan to or any  acquisition of the
securities or assets of, any other Person;

          (r) any material delay or postponement of payment of accounts  payable
or other  liabilities  of the Company  outside the  ordinary  course of business
consistent with past practice;

          (s) any  cancellation,  compromise,  waiver or release of any material
right or claim of the Company outside the ordinary course of business;


                                      -14-

<PAGE>



          (t) any license or  sublicense  of any rights of the Company  under or
with respect to its Intellectual Property; or

          (u) any agreement, undertaking or legal obligation, whether in writing
or otherwise, by the Company to do any of the foregoing.

          4.9. Title to Property; Leases; Encumbrances.

         (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9, the Company has good and valid
title to all assets  (other than real  property or interests  in real  property)
reflected on the Balance  Sheet or thereafter  acquired,  except for those since
sold or otherwise  transferred or disposed of in the ordinary course of business
consistent  with past  practice,  in each  case  free and clear of  Encumbrances
except Permitted Liens.

         (b) The Company  does not own and has never  owned any fee  interest in
any real  property.  Schedule  4.1(a)  sets  forth a  complete  list of all real
property and  interests in real  property  leased by the Company  ("Leased  Real
Property").  The Company has a good and valid and binding leasehold  interest in
the Leased Real Property,  free and clear of all  Encumbrances  except Permitted
Liens.  The Company has no obligations to perform any capital  improvements  and
all capital improvements required to be made by the Company under the leases are
fully paid for.

          (c) The plants, buildings, structures and equipment of the Company are
substantially  free of defects,  are in good operating  condition and repair and
have been reasonably  maintained consistent with standards generally followed in
the industry (giving due account to the age and length of use of same,  ordinary
wear and tear excepted),  are substantially suitable for their present uses and,
in the case of  plants,  buildings  and  other  structures  (including,  without
limitation, the roofs thereof), are structurally sound.

          4.10. Intellectual Property. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10: (a)
the Company holds all Intellectual Property, free and clear of all Encumbrances,
restrictions  on use or transfer,  whether or not recorded and has sole title to
and  ownership of or has the full,  exclusive  right to use, for the life of the
proprietary  right:  (i)  all  Listed  Intellectual  Property  and  (ii)  to the
knowledge,  after due inquiry, of the Semlers, the Shareholders and the Company,
all other Intellectual Property; (b) the use of the Listed Intellectual Property
by the Company  does not violate or infringe on the rights of any other  Person,
(c) the use of the Other  Intellectual  Property by the Company does not, to the
knowledge of the Semlers,  the Shareholders or the Company,  violate or infringe
on the rights of any other Person; (d) none of the Semlers,  any Shareholder nor
the Company has received any notice of any conflict  between the asserted rights
of others and the Company with  respect to any  Intellectual  Property;  (e) all
filings and other actions necessary to acquire,  maintain,  register,  renew and
perfect  the rights of the  Company  to all  Intellectual  Property  used by the
Company in its  business or in which it has an  interest  have been duly made in
all  jurisdictions  where  such  rights  are used by it;  (f) the  Company is in
compliance with all terms and conditions of the agreements  relating to any item
listed on Schedule  4.1(b);  (g) the Company is not and has not been a defendant
in any action,  suit,  investigation  or proceeding  relating to infringement or
misappropriation  by the Company of any Intellectual  Property;  (h) the Company
has not been notified of any alleged claim of infringement  or  misappropriation
by the Company of any Intellectual Property; (i) none of the Semlers, any


                                      -15-

<PAGE>



Shareholder  nor the  Company  has  knowledge  of any claim of  infringement  or
misappropriation  by  the  Company  of  any  Intellectual  Property;  (j) to the
knowledge  (after due inquiry) of the Semlers,  the Shareholders or the Company,
none of the Products the Company makes, has made,  uses, or sells,  infringes or
misappropriates any Intellectual  Property right of any third party; (k) none of
the  trademarks  and service  marks the Company uses  infringes the trademark or
service mark rights of any third party; (l) the Company has not entered into any
agreement to indemnify any other person  against any charge of  infringement  of
any Intellectual  Property and (m) none of the material  processes and formulae,
research and  development  results and other know-how  relating to the Company's
business,  the value of which to the Company is contingent  upon  maintenance of
the confidentiality thereof, has been disclosed to any Person other than Persons
bound by written confidentiality agreements listed on Schedule 4.10. The Company
has not received any response,  whether verbal, written or otherwise, from or on
behalf of any Person sent a letter announcing the Company's  acquisition of U.S.
Patent  Number  4,803,625,  the  Company is not aware of any  action  pending or
threatened  against the  Company by any such Person with  respect to the subject
matter of such  letters and the March 1, 1996 letter from the Company  addressed
to CDS - Pace Link  furnished  by the Company to  Purchaser  is identical in all
material respects to all of such letters. The Company has entered into a license
agreement with Ralin Medical,  Inc., a true,  correct and complete executed copy
of which is attached as Exhibit E (the "Ralin License Agreement").

           4.11. Litigation; Compliance with Laws.

          (a)  Except  as set  forth on  Schedule  4.11(a),  there  are no Legal
Proceedings  pending or, to the  knowledge  (after due inquiry) of either of the
Semlers,  any  Shareholder or the Company,  threatened  against or involving the
Company.  There is no outstanding  judgment,  order, writ,  injunction or decree
against  the  Company  or  related to its  assets  (including  any  Intellectual
Property).

          (b)  There  are  no  Legal  Proceedings  pending  against,  or to  the
knowledge  (after due inquiry) of either of the Semlers,  any Shareholder or the
Company,  threatened,  against or  affecting,  the  Company  before any court or
arbitrator or any Governmental Authority which in any manner challenges or seeks
to  prevent,  enjoin,  alter  or delay  the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement.

          (c) Except with respect to matters related to Environmental Law to the
extent  disclosed  on Schedule  4.12,  the Company has  complied in all material
respects  and is in material  compliance  with all  applicable  laws,  statutes,
rules, regulations,  ordinances,  orders, judgments and decrees, local, federal,
state, domestic or foreign (including, without limitation,  applicable insurance
requirements,  requirements  of any Board of Fire  Underwriters or similar body,
building, zoning, pension, fair employment,  equal opportunity,  safety, health,
procurement,   reimbursement,   consumer  protection  or  similar  laws,  rules,
regulations and ordinances).  No notice has been received by the Company, either
of the  Semlers or any  Shareholder,  and  neither  the  Company,  either of the
Semlers nor any  Shareholder  has  knowledge  (after due  inquiry) of any notice
being given, with respect to any violation of any such legal requirements. There
is no action or proceeding by the FDA, the Health Care Financing Agency or other
agency or part of the U.S.  Department  of Health & Human  Services or any other
governmental body, including, but not limited to, recall procedures, pending or,
to the  Company's,  either  of the  Semlers'  or  any  Shareholder's  knowledge,
threatened against the Company,


                                      -16-

<PAGE>



either of the Semlers or any  Shareholder  relating to the safety or efficacy of
or use or charges for any products developed or sold by the Company.

          4.12. Environmental Matters.

          (a) The  operations of the Company are currently and have at all times
been in compliance in all material  respects with all  applicable  Environmental
Laws.

          (b) To the  Company's  knowledge  (after due  inquiry),  there are not
currently  nor have there ever been any  underground  storage  tanks on any real
property  owned,  operated or leased by the Company.  No Hazardous  Material has
been  stored,  generated,  treated,  discharged  or Released in or upon any real
property  owned,  operated  or leased by the  Company  during the period of such
ownership  or  before  the  period  of the  Company's  or a  predecessor  of the
Company's  ownership,  lease or  operation  in  violation  of, or in a  quantity
reportable  under, any  Environmental Law or that is reasonably likely to result
in any material Environmental Costs and Liabilities.

          (c)  The  Company  is not  subject  to  any  Environmental  Costs  and
Liabilities,  and, to the Company's  knowledge (after due inquiry),  no facts or
circumstances  exist  which  could  give  rise to any  Environmental  Costs  and
Liabilities.

          (d) Schedule 4.12 lists all  Environmental  Permits  maintained by the
Company.  Such Environmental Permits are all Environmental Permits necessary for
the Company's  operations  and: (i) the Company is in compliance in all respects
with such  Environmental  Permits;  (ii) there are no Legal Proceedings  pending
nor,  to the  Company's  knowledge,  threatened  to  revoke  such  Environmental
Permits;  (iii) the Company has not  received  any notice from any  Governmental
Authority to the effect that there is lacking any Environmental  Permit required
for the current use or operation of any  property  owned,  operated or leased by
the  Company  or  any  of  its  Affiliates  and  (iv)  the  consummation  of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not constitute a transfer or assignment of
any such Environmental  Permits nor will such consummation require any filing or
registration  with  or  notice  to  any  Governmental  Authority  and  all  such
Environmental Permits shall remain in full force after the Effective Time.

         (e) Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates nor, to the Company's
knowledge  (after  due  inquiry),   any  predecessor  of  the  Company  or  such
Affiliates,  are subject to any  outstanding  written Order of any  Governmental
Authority or other  Person,  or, to the  knowledge of the Company,  any federal,
state,  local  or  foreign  investigation  respecting:  (i)  actual  or  alleged
violations  of  Environmental  Laws,  (ii) any  Remedial  Action  or  (iii)  any
Environmental  Costs  and  Liabilities.  Neither  the  Company  nor  any  of its
Affiliates,  nor to the Company's knowledge (after due inquiry), any predecessor
of the Company or its  Affiliates  have  received  any  written  notice from any
Governmental Authority respecting any violation of Environmental Laws.

          (f)  There  are no Legal  Proceedings  pending  or,  to the  Company's
knowledge  (after due  inquiry),  threatened  against  the Company or any of its
Affiliates,  alleging the violation of any  Environmental  Law or  Environmental
Permit.



                                      -17-

<PAGE>



          (g)  Neither  the  Company  nor  any of  its  Affiliates  nor,  to the
Company's  knowledge,  any  predecessor of the Company or any of its Affiliates,
has filed any  notice  under  federal,  state or local  law  indicating  past or
present  treatment,  storage,  or  disposal  of or  reporting  a Release  of any
Hazardous Material.

         (h) None of the operations of the Company nor any of its Affiliates or,
to the  Company's  knowledge,  of any  predecessor  of the Company or any of its
Affiliates,  involves or  previously  involved the  generation,  transportation,
treatment,  storage or disposal of Hazardous  Waste,  as defined under 40 C.F.R.
Parts 260-270 or any state, local or foreign equivalent.

          (i) The Company has not  received  notice of  liability  or  potential
liability at, nor are there any pending or  threatened  Legal  Proceedings  with
respect  to, any  facility  at which the  Company or its  Affiliates,  or to the
Company's  knowledge,  any  predecessor of the Company or such  Affiliates,  has
transported,  disposed of, or arranged for the  transportation at or disposal of
any Hazardous Material.

          (j) To  the  Company's  knowledge  (after  due  inquiry)  there  is no
asbestos,  asbestos-containing building materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, or
urea  formaldehyde  presently in use or otherwise  located at any real  property
currently owned, operated or leased by the Company.

          (k) There has been no environmental investigation, study, audit, test,
review or other analysis  conducted in relation to the current or prior business
of the Company or any of its Affiliates,  nor to the Company's  knowledge (after
due inquiry),  any  predecessor of the Company or its Affiliates or any property
or facility now or previously owned or leased by any Shareholder, the Company or
any of their  respective  Affiliates,  other than those listed on Schedule 4.12,
copies of which have been delivered to Purchaser.

          4.13. Tax Matters.

Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13:

          (a) All Tax  Returns  that were or will be required to be filed by, or
with  respect to, the Company on or before the Closing Date have been or will be
filed  on  a  timely  basis  in  accordance  with  the  laws,   regulations  and
administrative   requirements  of  the  appropriate   Taxing  Authority  in  all
jurisdictions  in which such Tax  Returns  were or will be required to be filed.
All such income Tax Returns that have been filed were, when filed,  and continue
to be,  true,  correct and  complete,  and all other Tax Returns  that have been
filed were,  when filed,  and continue to be, true,  correct and complete in all
material respects.

          (b) All Taxes due and payable on or before the Closing  Date have been
or will be timely paid on or before the Closing Date. All Taxes that the Company
was or will be required by law to withhold or collect  have been (in the case of
those that were already  required to be withheld or  collected)  or will be duly
withheld or  collected  and, to the extent  required,  have been (in the case of
those that were already  required to be paid) or will be paid to the appropriate
Taxing Authority. There are no Tax Liens other than Permitted Liens, and will be
no Tax Liens other than  Permitted  Liens on the Closing  Date,  with respect to
Taxes upon any of the properties or assets, real or

                                      -18-

<PAGE>



personal,  tangible or intangible,  of the Company. Any liability of the Company
for  Taxes not yet due and  payable  has  adequately  been  provided  for by the
Company on its  Financial  Statements  (whether or not  required to be disclosed
under GAAP).

         (c)  There is no  action,  dispute,  suit,  proceeding,  investigation,
assessment,  audit or claim now pending against, or with respect to, the Company
in respect of any Tax nor, to the knowledge of the Semlers,  the Shareholders or
the  Company,  is any such  action,  dispute,  suit,  procedure,  investigation,
assessment,  audit or claim for  additional  Tax  expected to be asserted by any
Taxing  Authority.  No Taxing Authority has proposed any adjustment with respect
to any action, dispute, suit, proceeding,  investigation,  assessment,  audit or
claim against or with respect to the Company.  All  deficiencies  proposed (plus
any  interest,  penalties  and  additions to Tax that were or are proposed to be
assessed thereon,  if any) with respect to the Company have been paid. There are
no outstanding  waivers or extensions of any statute of limitations  relating to
either  the  filing of any Tax  Return or the  payment  of any Tax for which the
Company may be liable and no Taxing  Authority has either formally or informally
requested such a waiver or extension.

          (d) To the knowledge of the Semlers, the Shareholders and the Company,
no claim has ever been made by any Taxing Authority in any jurisdiction in which
no Tax Return is filed by, or with  respect to, the Company that the Company may
be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.

          (e) The Company has never been included in a consolidated, combined or
unitary Tax Return nor has the  Company  ever been a party to any tax sharing or
similar agreement or arrangement.

          (f) The Company does not have any  liability  (whether  contingent  or
otherwise) for Taxes of any other Person: (i) under Treasury Regulations Section
1.1502-6 (or any  successor  provision  thereto or any similar  provision  under
state,  local or foreign  law);  (ii) as a successor or  transferee  or (iii) by
contract (whether written or unwritten).

          (g) No consent to the application of Section 341(f)(2) of the Code has
been filed with  respect to any  property or assets  held or acquired  (or to be
acquired) by the Company.

          (h) No  property  owned  by  the  Company  is  property  that  Parent,
Purchaser  or the  Company  will be  required to treat as being owned by another
person pursuant to the provisions of Section  168(f)(8) of the Internal  Revenue
Code of 1954, as amended and in effect  immediately  before the enactment of the
Tax Reform Act of 1986, or is  "tax-exempt  use property"  within the meaning of
Section 168(h)(1) of the Code.

          (i) The  Company is neither  subject to an  adjustment,  other than an
adjustment, if any, as a result of or following the Merger, under Section 481 of
the Code nor has been required by, nor has requested or received the  permission
of, any Taxing Authority to change its method of accounting.

         (j) Neither the Shareholders nor the Company are foreign persons within
the meaning of Section  1445 of the Code and the Company is not and has not been
a United States real

                                      -19-

<PAGE>



property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code
during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.

          (k) The Company does not have in effect any tax  elections for Federal
income tax purposes under Sections 108, 168(g), 338 or 4977 of the Code.

          (l) The  Company was a validly  electing  "S"  corporation  within the
meaning of Sections 1361 and 1362 of the Code for the period commencing  January
1, 1992 and  terminating on July 10, 1996 and during that same period  qualified
as  an  "S"  corporation  for  state  and  local  income  tax  purposes  in  all
jurisdictions  which  recognize  such  corporations  in which Tax  Returns  were
required to be filed or Taxes required to be paid.  Effective July 10, 1996, the
Company terminated all of its "S" elections for federal,  state and local income
tax purposes in all jurisdictions in which Tax Returns were required to be filed
or Taxes were  required  to be paid.  The Company has  provided  Purchaser  with
copies of all "S" elections filed by the Company (or any  predecessor)  with any
Taxing Authority.

          (m) There is no contract,  agreement, plan or arrangement covering any
Person  that,  individually  or  collectively,  give rise to the  payment of any
amount  that would not be  deductible  by Parent,  Purchaser  or the  Company by
reason of Sections  162(m) or 280G of the Code or as excessive  or  unreasonable
compensation.

          (n) The  Company is not a party  (other  than as an  investor)  to any
industrial development bond.

          (o) The Company has not,  within the past three years,  engaged in any
exchange with a "related  person"  (within the meaning of Code Section  1031(f))
under which the gain realized on such exchange was not recognized due to Section
1031 of the Code.

          (p) Schedule  4.13(p) sets forth,  as of December 31, 1997, for United
States Federal, state, local and foreign income tax purposes, the liabilities of
the  Company,  and the  adjusted  basis of the assets of the  Company.  Schedule
4.13(p) sets forth,  as of December 31, 1997,  for United States  Federal income
Tax purposes,  and where  applicable,  for state,  local and foreign  income Tax
purposes,  the net operating losses,  capital losses and credits,  including any
carryovers thereof, of the Company.  The Company does not have any net operating
loss  carryover,  capital loss carryover or credit  carryover which is, prior to
the Merger,  subject to restriction under Section 382 or Section 383 of the Code
(or any similar provisions under state, local or foreign law).

          (q) The Company  has  provided  Purchaser  with copies of: (i) all Tax
Returns of the Company set forth on Schedule 4.13(q);  (ii) any and all notices,
protests,  or closing  agreements  relating to issues  arising,  or  potentially
arising,  in any audit,  litigation  or similar  proceeding  with respect to the
liability for Taxes of the Company;  (iii) any and all elections or  disclosures
of any  controversial  positions  filed by or on behalf of the Company  with any
Taxing  Authority  (whether or not filed with any Tax Return);  and (iv) any and
all letter rulings,  determination  letters or similar  documents  issued by any
Taxing Authority with respect to the Company.


                                      -20-

<PAGE>



                  4.14.      Benefit Plans.

          (a)  Schedule  4.14 sets  forth a  complete  and  correct  list of all
"employee  benefit plans",  as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA,  and all plans,
programs,  policies,  arrangements  or  agreement  with  respect to  employment,
termination,  severance pay, vacation pay, company awards,  salary continuation,
disability,  sick  leave,  retirement,  deferred  compensation,  bonus  or other
incentive  compensation,  stock  purchase,  stock  option or other  equity-based
compensation,  hospitalization,  medical insurance, life insurance,  educational
assistance, arrangements or other employee benefit arrangements (whether written
or oral) covering employees or former employees of the Company,  or with respect
to which the Company has any obligation or liability ("Benefit Plans").

          (b) True, correct and complete copies of the following documents, with
respect to each of the Benefit Plans,  have been provided to Purchaser:  (i) any
plans and related trust documents,  including all amendments  thereto,  (ii) the
three most recent annual reports (Forms 5500) and schedules  thereto,  (iii) the
most recent financial  statements and actuarial valuations if any, (iv) the most
recent IRS determination  letter, (v) the most recent summary plan descriptions,
and (vi) the premium expenses and claims  experience for each Benefit Plan which
is a welfare benefit plan for the period from January 1, 1996 to the last day of
the month preceding the date hereof.

          (c) Each of the Benefit Plans intended to qualify under Section 401 of
the Code has been so qualified  since its inception and has received a favorable
determination  letter from the IRS as to such qualified status,  and nothing has
occurred  with  respect to the  operation of any such plan which could cause the
loss of such qualification or the imposition of any material liability,  penalty
or tax under ERISA or the Code.

          (d) Each of the Benefit Plans has been administered in accordance with
its terms and has been maintained in material compliance, in form and operation,
with all applicable laws,  including,  without  limitation,  ERISA and the Code.
Neither the Company nor, to the Company's knowledge,  any "party in interest" or
"disqualified  person"  with  respect  to the  Benefit  Plans has  engaged  in a
non-exempt prohibited transaction within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code
or Section 406 of ERISA.

          (e) All  contributions  and premiums  required to be made by law or by
the terms of any Benefit Plan or any agreement relating thereto have been timely
made,  and no accumulated  funding  deficiency (as defined in Section 412 of the
Code) exists with respect to any of the Benefit  Plans subject to Section 412 of
the Code. With respect to the Benefit Plans,  individually and in the aggregate,
there are no funded benefit obligations for which contributions are due and have
not been made or for  which  contributions  have not been  properly  accrued  as
required by GAAP, and there are no unfunded benefit  obligations  which have not
been (i)  accounted  for by reserves  (if  required by GAAP) or (ii) if required
(and to the extent  required,  if any),  properly  disclosed in accordance  with
GAAP, in the Balance Sheet.

          (f) The Company does not currently maintain, sponsor, or contribute to
(nor is it required to contribute  to) any "defined  benefit plan" as defined in
Section 3(35) of ERISA, any "multiemployer  plan" as defined in Section 3(37) of
ERISA or any  "multiple  employer  plan" within the meaning of Sections  4063 or
4064 of ERISA. With respect to any "employee benefit plan" (as


                                      -21-

<PAGE>



defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), or any similar plan maintained outside of the
United States,  whether or not terminated,  currently or formerly  maintained or
contributed  by the  Company  or any entity  which was at any time  treated as a
single employer,  determined under Section 414(b),  (c), (m) or (o) of the Code,
with the Company,  no material  liability  currently  exists (other than routine
benefit  claims  which in the  aggregate  are not  material)  and no  event  has
occurred and no condition exists, which could subject the Company, Parent and/or
Purchaser  directly or  indirectly  (through  an  indemnification  agreement  or
otherwise) to any material liability (other than routine benefit claims which in
the aggregate are not material),  including  without  limitation,  any liability
under Title IV of ERISA,  including  without  limitation  Sections 4064, 4069 or
4204 of ERISA,  or Section 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code. The Company has
not engaged in, and is not a successor or parent  corporation  to an entity that
has engaged in, a transaction described in Section 4069 of ERISA.

          (g) There have been no Legal Proceedings instituted or claims asserted
against any of the Benefit  Plans,  the assets of any such plans or the Company,
or the plan  administrator or any fiduciary of the Benefit Plans with respect to
the  operation of such plans (other than routine  benefit  claims),  and, to the
knowledge of the Company,  the Semlers and the Shareholders,  there are no facts
or  circumstances  which  are  reasonably  likely to form the basis for any such
Legal Proceeding or claims.

          (h) Neither the  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement  nor the
consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby will: (i) result in any
payment  becoming due to or increase any  compensation  of any current or former
director,  officer or  employee  of the  Company,  (ii)  increase  any  benefits
otherwise payable under any Benefit Plan, or (iii) result in the acceleration of
the time of payment or vesting of any such compensation or benefits.

          (i) The Company  does not  provide,  and is not  obligated to provide,
medical,  hospital,  dental,  life or other  similar  benefits to any current or
former  employee after his or her  termination  of employment  with the Company,
except as may be required under Section 4980B of the Code and Part 6 of Subtitle
B of Title I of ERISA.

           (j)  Except  as set forth on  Schedule  4.14,  there is no  contract,
agreement,  plan or  arrangement,  covering  any  employee of the Company  that,
individually or collectively,  could give rise to the payment of any amount that
would not be deductible by virtue of Section 280G of the Code.

           4.15.  Labor  Matters.  Except as set forth on Schedule  4.15,  since
December 31, 1996,  the Company has not  experienced  any labor  disputes or any
work stoppages due to labor  disagreements  and there is no such dispute or work
stoppage  threatened  against  the  Company.  No  employee  of  the  Company  is
represented by any union or collective  bargaining agent and to the knowledge of
either of the Semlers, the Shareholders or the Company,  there has been no union
organizational  effort in respect of any employees of the Company since December
31,  1996.  There are no pending or, to the  knowledge of either of the Semlers,
the Shareholders or the Company,  threatened Legal  Proceedings by any Person or
Governmental  Authority  against the Company  with  respect to any  violation or
alleged  violation  of any  applicable  federal,  state or local laws,  rules or
regulations:  (a) prohibiting  discrimination on any basis,  including,  without
limitation, on the basis of


                                      -22-

<PAGE>



race, color, religion,  sex, disability,  national origin or age or (b) relating
to  employment  or  labor,  including,  without  limitation,  those  related  to
immigration, wages, hours or plant closing.

          4.16.  Purchase and Sale Commitments.  Except as set forth on Schedule
4.16, none of the customers, suppliers or distributors listed on Schedule 4.1(g)
or (m) or Cygnus,  Inc.  has given any  notification  that any such  Person will
cease to continue its relationship with the Company or will substantially reduce
the extent of such relationship.

          4.17. Insurance.  The insurance policies listed on Schedule 4.1(j) (or
other policies  providing  substantially  similar insurance  coverage) remain in
full force and effect.  All premiums  payable  under all such policies have been
paid  timely and the  Company has  otherwise  complied  fully with the terms and
conditions of all such policies.  Neither the Company, either of the Semlers nor
any Shareholder has received any notice of any claims by the Company against any
policies of insurance  owned by the Company,  as to which any insurer is denying
liability or defending under any  reservation of rights clause.  The Company has
not received any notice of  cancellation,  non-renewal or termination in respect
of any of the insurance policies listed on Schedule 4.1(j).

          4.18.  Contracts.  Except as set forth on  Schedule  4.18,  all of the
contracts,  agreements,  indentures,  instruments,  plans, leases,  policies and
licenses listed or required to be listed on Schedule 4.1(c) to which the Company
is a party or by which it or any of its  properties  or  assets  may be bound or
subject  and  the  Ralin  License  Agreement,   are  legal,  valid  and  binding
obligations  of the  Company  and the  other  parties  thereto,  enforceable  in
accordance with their terms, are in full force and effect,  and: (a) neither the
Company nor, to the knowledge (after due inquiry) of either of the Semlers,  any
Shareholder  or the  Company,  any other  party  thereto is in default or breach
under  the  terms of any  such  contract,  nor,  has any  event or  circumstance
occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both,  would  constitute an event
of default thereunder and (b) there is no claimed or purported or alleged breach
or  default  of any  obligation  to be  performed  on the  part  of the  Company
thereunder or of any other party thereto.

          4.19. Finders and Investment Bankers. Neither the Shareholders nor the
Company nor any of their Affiliates have employed any broker, finder, investment
banker or financial  advisor as to whom Parent,  Purchaser or the Company has or
hereafter may have,  an obligation to pay monies,  or incurred any liability for
any brokerage  fees or commissions  or for any finders',  investment  banking or
financial  advisory  fees for which  Parent,  Purchaser  or the  Company  may be
responsible,  in connection with the transactions  contemplated  hereby,  except
that the Company has retained BT Alex.Brown  Incorporated  ("BT  Alex.Brown") as
its  financial  adviser,  and  Ragen  MacKenzie  Incorporated  as its  financial
consultant,  both of  whose  fees  and  expenses  shall  be paid by the  Company
concurrently with the Closing.  The Company has delivered to Purchaser a copy of
any  retention  or other  agreement  with BT Alex.  Brown  and  Ragen  MacKenzie
Incorporated (including all supplements and amendments thereto).

       4.20.  Approvals.  The Company has obtained all  material  Approvals  and
clearances applicable to its business and operations as presently conducted. All
such  Approvals  are held  directly by the Company and not by a  distributor  or
other Person.  The Company is not in default under any such  Approvals and there
exists no basis for the  termination,  suspension  or  revocation of any of such
Approvals.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.20, the Merger will not constitute
a transfer or


                                      -23-

<PAGE>



assignment of any such Approval nor will such consummation require any filing or
registration with or notice to any Governmental Authority and all such Approvals
shall  remain in full force and effect to the benefit of the  Company  following
the Merger.

    4.21. Products.  Set forth on Schedule 4.21 is a list of all of the products
manufactured or sold by the Company.  Each of the products  manufactured or sold
by the Company:  (a) is, and at all times up to and  including  the sale thereof
has been, in compliance in all material  respects with all  applicable  federal,
state,  local and foreign laws and  regulations  and (b) is, and at all relevant
times has been,  fit for the  ordinary  purposes  for which it is intended to be
used and conforms in all material  respects to any promises or  affirmations  of
fact made in all regulatory filings pertaining thereto, made on the container or
label for such product or made in connection  with its sale.  There is no design
or  manufacturing  defect with respect to any of such products.  The Company has
not  received  written  notice of any product  warranty  claims  other than such
claims as do not exceed,  in the  aggregate,  the  applicable  reserve  therefor
reflected on the Balance Sheet.  Warranty reserves are established and reflected
on the  Financial  Statements  to insure that the  estimated  costs of providing
warranty  services or upgrades,  improvements  and extended  service pursuant to
contractual  obligations  are  recognized  in the  period  in which  the sale of
products is recorded.

          4.22. Distribution Agreements.  Other than the distribution agreements
listed on Schedule 4.1(m), the Company is not a party to any agreement, Contract
or understanding which, following the Merger, would require Parent, Purchaser or
any of their  Affiliates to distribute any products or services  (other than the
products  or  services  currently  sold or offered by the  Company)  through any
Person, including, any distributor or dealer.

          4.23. Regulatory Matters.

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.23: (i) the Company, and the products sold
by the Company,  are in compliance in all material respects with all current and
otherwise applicable statutes, rules, regulations,  standards,  guides or orders
administered  or  issued  by the FDA and all  other  federal,  foreign  or state
agencies or governmental  bodies (except for  environmental  agencies or bodies)
having  regulatory  authority  over the  products  of the Company  (except  with
respect to environmental matters) and its business and (ii) the Company, and the
products sold by the Company,  are in material  compliance  with all current and
otherwise applicable statutes, rules, regulations,  standards,  guides or orders
administered  or issued by local  agencies or  governmental  bodies  (except for
environmental  agencies or bodies) having regulatory authority over the products
of the Company (except with respect to environmental matters) and its business.

          (b) Except as set forth on Schedule  4.23,  since January 1, 1995 none
of the following  communications  have been given with respect to the Company or
its  business  and no facts exist which  furnish any  reasonable  basis for, any
Notice of Inspectional  Observation  (Form FDA 483), Notice of Adverse Findings,
Warning Letters,  Section 305 notices,  subpoena, an Unacceptable  Determination
under a GWQAP or other similar communication by any Governmental Authority,  and
there have been no recalls, field notifications, alerts or seizures requested or
threatened relating to the products sold by the Company.


                                      -24-

<PAGE>



          (c)  The  Company  has  made  available  to  Purchaser  a copy  of all
premarket approval  applications ("PMA") and premarket  notification  ("510(k)")
clearance or concurrence  letters  received from the FDA. A list identifying all
said PMAs and 510(k)s is contained in Schedule  4.23. The 510(k) or PMA for each
of the products of the Company is in  compliance  in all material  respects with
the applicable federal, state and local statutes, rules, regulations, standards,
guides  or  orders  administered  or  promulgated  by the FDA and state or local
jurisdictions  and all preclinical and clinical studies have been conducted with
recognized good clinical and good laboratory practices in all material respects.
Schedule  4.23  contains a complete  list of all of the  Company's  products not
marketed under an approved PMA or 510(k).

          (d) The Company has made  available  to  Purchaser  for each  clinical
investigational  use of a device  conducted by or on behalf of the Company since
March 1, 1995 a copy of each claimed  investigational  device exemptions ("IDE")
including  those  filed  with or  approved  by the FDA,  by or on  behalf of the
Company,  and not otherwise  encompassed  within the  preceding two  paragraphs.
Schedule 4.23  contains a complete  list of all such IDEs.  All such IDEs are in
compliance in all material respects with the applicable federal, state and local
statutes,  rules,  regulations,  standards,  guides  or orders  administered  or
promulgated by the FDA or state or local jurisdiction, including but not limited
to those pertaining to informed consent.  Schedule 4.23 contains a complete list
of all of the Company's clinical investigations not conducted under an IDE.

          (e) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.23, neither any Shareholder, the
Company,  nor the  Semlers  knows of any facts  which are  reasonably  likely to
cause: (i) the denial,  withdrawal,  recall or suspension of any product sold or
intended  to  be  sold  by  the  Company;   (ii)  a  change  in  the   marketing
classification  or  labeling  of any such  products  or (iii) a  termination  or
suspension of marketing of any such products.

          (f) Schedule  4.23  contains an accurate and complete list of: (i) all
products manufactured, marketed or sold by the Company or in connection with its
business  which have been recalled or subject to a field  notification  (whether
voluntarily  or  otherwise)  since  January  1,  1995 and  (ii) all  proceedings
occurring on or after  January 1, 1995  (whether  completed or pending)  seeking
recall,  suspension or seizure of any product sold or proposed to be sold by the
Company or in connection with its business.

          (g) The Company has made  available  to Purchaser in a manner so as to
provide  Purchaser an opportunity to review all FDA inspection  reports  ("Forms
483s") since January 1, 1995, and the Company's Responses to such Form 483s and,
to the extent it has a copy, all of the FDA Establishment Inspection Reports for
all FDA  inspections  of the Company's  facilities  since  January 1, 1995.  The
Company has also  furnished  Purchaser  with access to selected  internal  audit
reports (as  required by 21 C.F.R.  ss.820.22)  conducted  by the Company  since
January 1, 1995.  Schedule  4.23  contains an accurate and complete  list of all
such Forms 483s,  Responses and FDA Established  Inspection Reports and internal
audit reports.

          (h) The Company has made  available  to Purchaser in a manner so as to
provide  Purchaser an opportunity to review copies of all Medical Device Reports
(as required by 21 C.F.R. Part 804) filed by the Company, and maintained by such
person (as required by 21 C.F.R. Part 804).


                                      -25-

<PAGE>



Schedule 4.23 contains a complete list of all Medical  Device Reports sent to or
received by the Company since March 1, 1996.

          (i) The Company has made  available to Purchaser  all  Complaints  (as
required by 21 C.F.R.  Part 820)  maintained  by the Company (as  required by 21
C.F.R. Part 820) since March 1, 1996.  Schedule 4.23 contains a complete list of
all Complaints received by the Company since March 1, 1996.

          (j) The Company has made  available to Purchaser  copies of all labels
for all of the  Company's  products in the Company's  possession.  Except as set
forth  on  Schedule  4.23,  all  labels  are in  material  compliance  with  all
applicable FDA and similar federal, state, local and foreign requirements.

          (k)  The  Company  has  made  available  to  Purchaser  copies  of all
regulatory  approvals obtained from any foreign  regulatory  agencies related to
the products distributed and sold by the Company.  Schedule 4.23 contains a list
of all non-FDA  approvals and all products  marketed by the Company  outside the
United  States for which  regulatory  clearance  or authority to market will not
reasonably be expected to be completed on or before June 1, 1998.

          4.24. Millennium Compliance. All computer and
information programs and technology included in the assets of the Company are
Millennium Compliant.


                                    ARTICLE V

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                                  OF PURCHASER

Each of Parent and Purchaser hereby  represents and warrants to the Company that
the  statements  contained in this  Article V are true and  correct.  Whenever a
statement  in this  Article V is  qualified  by "to the  knowledge  of Parent or
Purchaser",  or a similar  phrase,  it is intended to indicate  that neither the
executive officers of Purchaser nor the executive officers of Parent have actual
knowledge of the inaccuracy of such statement.

          5.1. Organization; Authority and Enforceability.

(a) Each of Parent  and  Purchaser  is a  corporation  duly  organized,  validly
existing  and  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of  its   jurisdiction   of
incorporation  with all requisite  power to enable it to own,  lease and operate
its assets and  properties  and to  conduct  its  business  as  currently  being
conducted  and is  qualified  to do  business as a foreign  corporation  in each
jurisdiction  in  which  the  nature  of  the  business  conducted  by it or the
character  or location  of the  properties  owned or leased by it requires  such
qualification,  except to the extent the failure so to qualify  would not have a
Material  Adverse  Effect  with  respect to Parent or  Purchaser.  Complete  and
correct copies of the certificate of  incorporation or articles of incorporation
and  bylaws,  each as amended to date,  of Parent and  Purchaser  have been made
available to the Company.


                                      -26-

<PAGE>



(b) Each of Parent and Purchaser has all requisite corporate power and authority
to execute and deliver this Agreement,  to perform its obligations hereunder and
to consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby. The execution and delivery
of this  Agreement  and the  Documents  executed by either or both of Parent and
Purchaser  and the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and
thereby have been duly authorized by all requisite  corporate action on the part
of Parent and Purchaser,  as  applicable.  This Agreement has been duly executed
and  delivered by Parent and  Purchaser,  and the Documents to be signed by them
will at the  Closing  have been  duly  executed  and  delivered  by  Parent  and
Purchaser,   and  this  Agreement  constitutes  the  legal,  valid  and  binding
obligation of Parent and Purchaser,  and the Documents to be signed by them will
at the Closing constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Parent and
Purchaser,  enforceable  against  Parent and Purchaser in accordance  with their
respective terms.

          5.2.  No  Violation.  Except for the  approvals,  waivers or  consents
under, and required amendments to, the Senior Credit Agreement,  neither (a) the
Merger,  (b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other Documents
executed and delivered by Parent or Purchaser, (c) the performance by Parent and
Purchaser of their obligations hereunder and thereunder nor (d) the consummation
of the transactions  contemplated  hereby or thereby will violate any provisions
of the  certificates  of  incorporation  or bylaws of  Parent  or  Purchaser  or
violate,  or be in conflict  with,  or allow the  termination,  or  constitute a
default  under,  or cause  the  acceleration  of the  maturity  of,  any debt or
obligation  pursuant to any agreement or commitment to which Parent or Purchaser
is a party or by which it is  bound,  or  violate  any  statute,  any law or any
judgment,  decree,  order,  regulation  or rule  of any  court  or  Governmental
Authority to which Parent or Purchaser is subject.

          5.3. Consents and Approvals of Governmental  Authorities.  No consent,
approval or authorization of, or declaration,  filing or registration  with, any
Governmental Authority is required to be made or obtained by Parent or Purchaser
in connection with the execution,  delivery and performance of this Agreement or
the Documents  executed and delivered by Parent or Purchaser or the consummation
by Parent and  Purchaser of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby,
other than pursuant to the HSR Act and filing the Articles of Merger.

          5.4. Finders and Investment Bankers.  Neither Purchaser nor any of its
Affiliates  have  employed any broker,  finder,  investment  banker or financial
advisor as to whom any  Shareholder  has or hereafter may have, an obligation to
pay monies,  or incurred any liability  for any brokerage  fees or commission or
for any finders',  investment  banking or financial  advisory fees for which the
Company  would incur any  liability in the event the  transactions  contemplated
hereby are not consummated.

          5.5. Litigation. There are no Legal Proceedings pending against, or to
the knowledge (after due inquiry) of Parent or Purchaser  threatened  against or
affecting,   Parent  or  Purchaser   before  any  court  or  arbitrator  or  any
Governmental  Authority  which in any  manner  challenges  or seeks to  prevent,
enjoin, alter or delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          5.6.  Merger Sub.  The  representations  are  warranties  contained in
Section 5.1 through 5.5 shall be  applicable  to and deemed to have been made by
Merger Sub as of the Closing with respect to itself, Parent and Purchaser.



                                      -27-

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE VI

                       CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CLOSING

          6.1.  Conduct  of  Business  of  the  Company.   Except  as  otherwise
contemplated  by this  Agreement  (including  Section 7.12) or without the prior
written consent of the Purchaser, from the date of this Agreement to the Closing
Date,  the Company shall (and the Semlers  shall cause the Company to),  conduct
its operations in the ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past
practice,  and in connection therewith the Company shall use its best efforts to
preserve its business and the business  organization of the Company intact, keep
available  the services of the  Company's  officers and  employees  and maintain
satisfactory  relationships with suppliers,  customers,  distributors and others
having business relationships with the Company (and in connection therewith will
pay payables and collect receivables in the ordinary course consistent with past
practice).  Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, the Company will
not do any of the following, without the prior written consent of Purchaser:

          (a) amend its articles of incorporation or bylaws;

          (b) declare or pay any dividend or make any other distributions to its
shareholders;

          (c) redeem or otherwise acquire,  issue or sell any Stock or issue any
capital stock or any Right or amend any material term of any Stock or Right;

          (d)  adopt,  enter  into,  terminate  or  amend  any  Benefit  Plan or
collective  bargaining  agreement that would increase the expense of maintaining
any Benefit Plan or collectively bargained agreement;

          (e) make or grant to any executive  officer,  director or employee any
increase in compensation  or benefits,  except as may be required under existing
agreements disclosed to Purchaser, or grant, agree or otherwise become obligated
to pay  (whether  on the  occurrence  of any  future  event  or  otherwise)  any
severance  or  termination  pay to any  officer,  director  or  employee  of the
Company;

          (f) incur or assume any  liabilities or obligations  other than in the
ordinary course of business  consistent  with past practice,  or incur or assume
any  Indebtedness  (other than  drawings on the  Company's  existing  $3,000,000
revolving  credit facility with the U.S.  National Bank of Oregon which drawings
shall be used solely for the Company's  working capital  purposes and other than
an  extension  (for which no material  consideration  shall be paid) to no later
than September 1, 1998 of the Company's guaranty of the Semler's indebtedness to
CCI);  provided,  that  any  such  extension  shall  not  relieve  CCI  from its
obligations  under  Sections  7.18  and 9.8 to  release  the  Company  from  the
Company's obligations to CCI at the Closing;

          (g) enter into any agreement or  arrangement  with any  shareholder of
the  Company or any  Affiliate  or  Associate  thereof,  or make any  additional
advances to any such Person;


                                      -28-

<PAGE>



          (h) make any change in any accounting practice or policy other than as
required in accordance with GAAP;

          (i)  acquire by merging or  consolidating  with,  or by  purchasing  a
substantial  portion of the assets of, or by any other  manner,  any business or
any  corporation,  partnership,  association or other business  organization  or
division  thereof,  or otherwise  acquire or agree to acquire any assets  (other
than  inventory  and raw materials  acquired in the ordinary  course of business
consistent with past practice);

          (j)  sell,  lease or  otherwise  dispose  of any  assets  (other  than
inventory or raw materials sold or otherwise  disposed of in the ordinary course
of business in a manner  consistent  with past  practice or as  contemplated  in
Section 7.12);

          (k) abandon, surrender,  terminate or amend in any material manner the
terms of any Approval or material contract;

         (l)  enter  into  any  agreement,   contract  or  understanding  which,
following  the Merger,  would require  Purchaser to  distribute  any products or
services (other than the products or services currently being sold or offered by
the Company) through any Person, including,  without limitation, any distributor
or dealer, except in connection with action permitted by Section 6.1(m);

         (m) enter into any license agreement, contract or any other arrangement
or  understanding  regarding,  or waive or abandon any rights  with  respect to,
Intellectual  Property,  terminate  or amend in any  respect  the Ralin  License
Agreement  or settle  any claims  with  respect  to the  matter  referred  to on
Schedule  4.10 relating to PaceArt (the "PaceArt  Matter");  provided,  however,
that the Company may, in consultation  with Purchaser,  enter into  arrangements
relating to the PaceArt Matter to the extent such  arrangements are disclosed on
Schedule 4.10 and which in all material  respects are consistent  with the terms
disclosed on Annex I to Schedule 4.10 (PaceArt Term Sheet); or

          (n) agree to any of the foregoing.

          6.2. Access to Information and Facilities.  From the date hereof until
the  Closing   Date,   the  Company   will  afford  the   officers,   employees,
representatives, consultants, financing sources and agents of Purchaser full and
complete access to any and all premises, properties,  contracts, books, records,
employees, representatives,  consultants, Tax Returns and affairs of the Company
(including,  without  limitation,  access  to  properties  in order  to  conduct
environmental  audits and  reviews  and access to all  documents  maintained  or
required to be maintained  by the FDA and other United  States,  foreign,  state
and/or  local  agencies)  and will cause its  officers  to  furnish  any and all
financial,  technical and operating data and other information pertaining to the
Company (including any and all information  relating to Intellectual  Property),
as  Purchaser  shall  from time to time  reasonably  request in order to conduct
operational and organizational  reviews,  strategic and tactical  planning,  due
diligence and  environmental  audits and reviews,  all in a manner that will not
unnecessarily or unreasonably  disrupt the Company's  operations.  To the extent
commercially reasonable, Purchaser will confine its investigation,  requests and
presence on the Company's  property to normal business hours.  The Company shall
also make available to Purchaser's transition structuring team of


                                      -29-

<PAGE>



employees,  consultants and advisors reasonable working space at its facilities.
The Semlers shall direct the  Company's  officers,  employees,  representatives,
consultants  and  agents  to  furnish  any  and  all  financial,  technical  and
operational  data  and  other  information  (including  any and all  information
relating to Intellectual  Property) relating to the Company,  as Purchaser shall
reasonably request in connection with the foregoing activities, the transactions
contemplated  hereby  and  Purchaser's  anticipated  conduct  of  the  Company's
business. The parties understand that the purpose of this provision is to permit
Purchaser  to  conduct an  ongoing  due  diligence  review  (acknowledging  that
Purchaser may not  condition the Closing based on its due diligence  review) and
to permit  Purchaser to arrange for a smooth  transition in connection  with the
transactions  contemplated  hereby.  The  Semlers  shall  cause the  Company  to
cooperate  reasonably  so as to permit  Purchaser to achieve  these  goals.  All
information   provided  to  Purchaser  in  connection   with  the   transactions
contemplated   hereby   shall  be   subject   to  the  terms  of  that   certain
confidentiality  agreement  entered  into  between  the parties on March 1, 1998
("Confidentiality  Agreement") and all originals and copies shall be returned to
the Company upon termination of this Agreement.  No discussions,  investigations
or review of material with  professionals  engaged by the Company will be deemed
to or result in the waiver of any  privilege  that may exist between the Company
or any of its  shareholders  and  such  professionals  (and  Purchaser  and  its
Affiliates hereby waive any such claims); provided,  however, that the foregoing
shall not be deemed to create any privilege that does not otherwise exist.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

                  7.1.       Advice of Change.

          (a) The Company  shall  promptly  advise  Purchaser  in writing,  upon
obtaining  knowledge  of: (i) any event  which  occurred or state of facts which
existed  on or prior  to the date of  execution  of this  Agreement  that is not
disclosed herein and any event which occurs after the date of this Agreement, in
each case that,  under this  Agreement  or any  Schedule or  Document  delivered
pursuant hereto, would have been required to have been disclosed by the Semlers,
any  Shareholder  or the Company on the date of execution of this  Agreement and
(ii) any change in the  business,  operations,  properties,  assets or financial
condition of the Company, if such change has had or would reasonably be expected
to have, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.

          (b) Parent and Purchaser shall promptly advise the Company in writing,
upon  obtaining  knowledge  of: (i) any event  which  occurred or state of facts
which  existed on or prior to the date of execution of this  Agreement,  in each
case that, under this Agreement or any Document executed and delivered by Parent
or Purchaser pursuant hereto, would have been required to have been disclosed by
them on the date of execution of this  Agreement  and (ii) any event that occurs
or state of facts  that  exists  that  would  adversely  impact  the  ability of
Purchaser  to  deliver,  on behalf of the  Surviving  Corporation,  the  Initial
Percentage of the Merger Consideration as provided in Section 2.3(a) or make the
deposit called for under Section 2.3(e) or for Parent to make the payments under
the promissory notes issued hereunder.  The covenant in Section 7.1(b)(ii) shall
survive  the Closing  until such time as all  amounts  due under the  promissory
notes issued hereunder are fully paid and retired.


                                      -30-

<PAGE>



          (c) The Company shall promptly  notify  Purchaser and Purchaser  shall
promptly notify the Company of: (i) any notice or other  communication  from any
Person  alleging  that the  consent  of such  Person  is or may be  required  in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) any notice
or other  communication  from any Governmental  Authority in connection with the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  and  (iii) any  actions,  suits,
claims,  investigations or proceedings commenced or, to its knowledge threatened
against,  relating to or  involving  or otherwise  affecting  the  Semlers,  the
Shareholders,  the Company, Parent, Purchaser or their respective Affiliates, as
the case may be, that, if pending on the date of this Agreement, would have been
required  to have been  disclosed  under this  Agreement  or that  relate to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          7.2.  Public  Announcements.  The  Semlers,  the  Company,  Parent and
Purchaser  agree  that,   prior  to  the  Closing,   press  releases  and  other
announcements  with  respect to the  transactions  contemplated  hereby shall be
subject to mutual  agreement;  provided,  however,  that any party may make such
announcements as, in the opinion of its counsel,  such party is required to make
pursuant to  applicable  law or the  requirements  of a stock  exchange or other
applicable self-regulatory organization,  but in such event such party shall, to
the extent  practicable,  give the other party  reasonable  prior  notice and an
opportunity to comment on the proposed announcement.

          7.3.  Books and  Records.  On the Closing  Date,  the Semlers and each
Shareholder  shall deliver and shall cause to be delivered to Purchaser,  all of
the books and records of the Company not then in the  possession of the Company.
Purchaser agrees to preserve all records of the Company delivered by the Semlers
or any Shareholders to Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement or in the possession
of Purchaser in the same manner in which it maintains  its own books and records
under its then  current  document  maintenance  programs.  Purchaser  shall give
thirty (30) days' notice to the Shareholder Representative to permit the Semlers
or any  Shareholder  to examine,  duplicate or take  possession  of such records
prior to any destruction thereof by Purchaser.  Notice having been given, at the
end of the such thirty (30) day period, if the Shareholder  Representative shall
not have requested any such records or copies thereof, Purchaser may dispose of,
alter or destroy any such  records at any time.  During the period such  records
are so required to be preserved and kept, the Shareholder  Representative shall,
on reasonable prior notice,  have access thereto during normal business hours to
examine,  inspect and copy (at his expense)  such  records.  Purchaser  and each
Shareholder  shall provide each other with  reasonable  access to any records or
information  relevant  to  any  return,  audit  or  examination  by  any  Taxing
Authority, or judicial or administrative proceeding or determination relating to
liability for Taxes  (including  refunds) as are in its possession or subject to
its control pursuant to this Section 7.3.

          7.4. Senior Credit Agreement; Financing. Parent and Purchaser will use
commercially  reasonable  efforts  to  obtain,  and the  Company  shall (and the
Semlers  shall  cause the  Company to) use  commercially  reasonably  efforts in
taking such  action as may be  reasonably  requested  by  Purchaser  in order to
assist  Parent,  Purchaser  and their  respective  Affiliates,  in obtaining all
consents,  waivers and  approvals  from the lenders  party to the Senior  Credit
Agreement,  which Purchaser determines are necessary for the consummation of the
transactions contemplated under this Agreement and the Documents and in order to
permit  Parent to obtain  subordinated  debt  financing in  connection  with the
transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement and the  Documents,  which actions
shall  include  making senior  executive and technical  personnel of the Company
available to


                                      -31-

<PAGE>



assist Parent in preparing relevant portions of its offering materials and other
information  to be  delivered  to  potential  lenders  and  purchasers  of  debt
securities  subject  to  reasonable  confidentiality  restrictions  that  may be
requested  by the  Company;  provided,  however,  that the Company  shall not be
required to make or be responsible  for any payment  required in order to obtain
any of the forgoing. The parties agree that the complete  responsibility for and
the entire risk that such  financing is obtained is on Parent and  Purchaser and
breach of any part of this  covenant  by the  Company or any of its  officers or
Shareholders  (other than a material breach which has a direct and  demonstrable
material  adverse  effect on Parent's  ability to obtain such  financing) or the
failure of the financing to occur shall not be the basis for termination of this
Agreement by Parent or Purchaser or any delay of the closing of the transactions
contemplated  hereby. To the extent possible,  Parent and Purchaser will confine
their requests for assistance to normal  business hours and will not disrupt the
normal business operations of the Company.

          7.5.  Consents and Approvals.  The Company will (and the Semlers shall
cause  the  Company  to) use  commercially  reasonable  efforts  to  obtain  the
necessary  approvals,  consents  and  releases  of other  Persons  which  may be
required to consummate the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  which
approvals, consents and releases shall include those of the other parties to the
agreements   referred  to  on  Schedule  4.4.  Parent  and  Purchaser  will  use
commercially  reasonable  efforts in taking  such  actions as may be  reasonably
requested  by the  Company in order to assist  the  Company  in  satisfying  its
obligations  under  the  preceding  sentence,  but  neither  Purchaser  nor  its
Affiliates  shall be required to make or be responsible for any payment required
in order to obtain any such approval, consent or release.

          7.6.  Cooperation  Regarding Benefit Plans. The Company shall (and the
Semlers shall cause the Company to) cooperate with Purchaser and its advisers in
preparing, filing, and diligently pursuing any and all filings, applications, or
notifications  that may be  necessary  or  advisable  with respect to any of the
Benefit  Plans  in  connection  with  the  transactions   contemplated  by  this
Agreement.

          7.7.  Satisfaction  of  Closing  Conditions.  Subject to the terms and
conditions  of this  Agreement,  each party  shall use  commercially  reasonable
efforts to take, or cause to be taken,  all actions  necessary to consummate the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  in a manner that will provide to
each party hereto the full benefits of the transactions contemplated hereby. The
parties shall cooperate with one another:  (a) in determining whether any action
by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental  Authority is required, or
any actions,  consents,  approvals  or waivers are required to be obtained  from
parties to any  contracts  and (b) subject to the terms and  conditions  of this
Agreement,  in taking  such  actions  or  making  any such  filings,  furnishing
information  required in connection  therewith and seeking to obtain in a timely
fashion any such consents,  approvals or waivers. Each Shareholder,  the Semlers
and the Company shall use  commercially  reasonable  efforts to cause all of the
conditions  set forth in Articles  VIII and IX to be satisfied by the  Scheduled
Closing Date.  Purchaser shall use its commercially  reasonable efforts to cause
all of the  conditions  set forth in Articles  VIII and X to be satisfied by the
Scheduled Closing Date.


                                      -32-

<PAGE>



                  7.8.       Tax Covenants.

          (a) The Company  shall  prepare  and timely file with the  appropriate
Taxing Authority all Tax Returns required to be filed on or prior to the Closing
Date and shall timely pay all Taxes either: (i) required to be shown on any such
Tax  Returns or (ii) which are not  required to be shown on such Tax Returns but
which will be required to be paid by or with  respect to the Company on or prior
to the Closing  Date.  All such income Tax Returns that are filed after the date
hereof  through the Closing Date will be true,  correct and complete  when filed
and all other Tax  Returns  that are filed  after the date  hereof  through  the
Closing Date will be true,  correct and complete in all material  respects  when
filed. The Purchaser shall, on behalf of the Company,  be responsible for filing
all Tax Returns of the Company  required to be filed after the Closing  Date and
paying all Taxes required to be shown on such Tax Returns.

          (b) At least ten (10) days  prior to the  Closing  Date,  the  Company
shall provide  Purchaser  with copies of all Tax Returns of the Company filed or
required to be filed  during the period  beginning on the date hereof and ending
fifteen (15) days prior to the Closing Date.

          (c) If during the period  beginning  on the date  hereof and ending on
the Closing Date,  the Company or the Semlers  receive or file: (i) any notices,
protests,  or closing  agreements  relating to issues  arising,  or  potentially
arising,  in any audit,  litigation  or similar  proceeding  with respect to the
liability  for Taxes of the Company;  (ii) any elections or  disclosures  of any
controversial  positions  filed by or on behalf of the  Company  with any Taxing
Authority  (whether  or not  filed  with any Tax  Return)  or (iii)  any  letter
rulings,  determination  letters  or  similar  documents  issued  by any  Taxing
Authority with respect to the Company,  prior to the Closing,  the Semlers shall
provide or shall  cause the Company to provide  Purchaser,  with copies of those
items that are received or filed.

          (d) All transfer, documentary, sales, use, registration and other such
Taxes  (including,  but not limited to, all applicable  real estate  transfer or
gains taxes but excluding any prospective increase in real property taxes of the
Company  as a result  of a  revaluation  of real  property  as a  result  of the
Merger),  any  penalties,  interest and  additions to Tax, and fees  incurred in
connection  with  this  Agreement  and  the  transactions   contemplated  hereby
(including  any Taxes due as a result of the Merger but  excluding  any Taxes to
the extent  such  Taxes  arise  from or result  out of  subsequent  transactions
involving the Company) shall be borne by the  Shareholders.  The Semlers and the
Shareholders  and Purchaser shall cooperate in the timely making of all filings,
returns,  reports and forms as may be required in connection  therewith.  At the
Closing,  Purchaser will provide the Company with a resale certificate  relating
to the Company's inventory.

          (e) The Semlers and the Shareholders will provide such cooperation and
information  as the  Purchaser  or the  Company  reasonably  may request in: (i)
filing any Tax Return,  amended return or claim for refund,  (ii)  determining a
liability  for  Taxes or a right to a refund  of Taxes or (iii)  conducting  any
audit or other proceeding in respect of Taxes of the Company.

          (f) Without the prior written consent of Purchaser,  the Company shall
not, on or prior to the Closing Date, make or change any Tax election,  adopt or
change any method of Tax  accounting,  file any amended  return,  enter into any
closing agreement, settle any Tax claim or


                                      -33-

<PAGE>



assessment,  surrender any right to claim a Tax refund, consent to any extension
or waiver of the limitations period applicable to any Tax or Tax Return.

         (g) For income Tax  purposes and for  purposes of this  Agreement,  the
parties  shall treat the Merger as a taxable  purchase of the Stock by Purchaser
and shall take no position or action inconsistent with such treatment.

          (h) For income Tax  purposes,  no portion of the Merger  Consideration
shall be  allocable  to any of the  covenants  set forth in the  Non-Competition
Agreements.

          7.9. No Solicitation. The Company shall immediately cease and cause to
be terminated any existing solicitation,  encouragement, activity, discussion or
negotiation with any Person heretofore  conducted by or on behalf of the Company
with  respect  to any  Acquisition  Proposal.  From the date  hereof  until  the
termination of this Agreement,  the Company shall not (nor shall it authorize or
permit  any  of  its  officers,  directors,   employees,  agents,  shareholders,
investment  bankers,  attorneys,  financial  advisors  or other  representatives
("Company Representatives") to, directly or indirectly):  (a) take any action to
initiate, solicit,  encourage,  respond to or otherwise facilitate, any offer or
inquiry from any person with respect to any  Acquisition  Proposal or (b) engage
in  negotiations  or discussions  with, or disclose any  non-public  information
relating to the  Company or its  business  or afford  access to the  properties,
books or records of the Company to, any person  with  respect to an  Acquisition
Proposal.  The Semlers,  each  Shareholder and the Company shall promptly notify
Purchaser  if  he or it  receives  any  inquiry  from  any  Person  or  has  any
discussions  with any Person  with  respect to an  Acquisition  Proposal,  which
notice  shall  contain  the name of the  person  involved  and the nature of the
Acquisition Proposal.

          7.10.  Additional  Instruments;  Further Assurances.  At and after the
Closing, at the request of Purchaser, each Shareholder shall, or shall cause its
Affiliates to,  execute,  acknowledge  and deliver to Purchaser  without further
consideration, all such further assignments,  conveyances,  endorsements, deeds,
powers of attorney,  consents and other  documents and take such other action as
Purchaser may reasonably request to consummate the transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement.

         7.11. Antitrust  Notification.  Each of the parties shall, within three
(3)  business  days  following  the date hereof,  or as promptly as  practicable
thereafter, file with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice
the   notification   and  report  form  required  in  order  to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated hereby and any supplemental  information which may be
reasonably  requested in connection  therewith  pursuant to the HSR Act. Each of
the parties shall  coordinate to seek early  termination  of the waiting  period
applicable  to the filing.  Each of the parties  shall  furnish to each  other's
counsel such necessary  information  and reasonable  assistance as the other may
request in connection  with its  preparation of any filing or submission that is
necessary under the HSR Act.

          7.12.  CompressAR  Business.  (a) Schedule  7.12 sets forth a list and
description of the assets and liabilities of the Company which relate  primarily
to the  CompressAR  business  and which  would be  included  on a balance  sheet
prepared in accordance  with GAAP (the  "CompressAR  Net  Assets").  The Semlers
shall have the option to cause Newco, not later than the business day


                                      -34-

<PAGE>



immediately  prior to the Closing Date,  to purchase  from the Company,  and the
Company shall sell to Newco,  for the Appraised Value, the CompressAR Net Assets
and Newco  shall  assume the  CompressAR  Business  Liabilities,  pursuant to an
Assignment and Assumption Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F.

          (b) If Newco  purchases the CompressAR Net Assets as provided  herein,
then the purchase price therefor shall be paid, at the Semlers'  option,  either
in cash at that time or by a reduction of the amounts  otherwise payable to each
of the Semler Trusts upon  surrender of their  Certificates  representing  their
shares of Stock as provided in Section  2.3(a)(i) by fifty  percent (50%) of the
Appraised  Value.  If Newco  purchases  the  CompressAR  Net Assets as  provided
herein,  the Semlers shall be deemed to have  represented and warranted that the
tax basis of the Company in such assets is equal to the sum of the book value of
the CompressAR Net Assets.

          (c) If Newco  purchases the CompressAR Net Assets as provided  herein,
then at the  Closing,  the  Company  and Newco  shall  enter  into a  Transition
Services Agreement in the form of Exhibit G.

          7.13.  Real  Estate  Matters.   The  Company  will  use   commercially
reasonable  efforts,  and the Semlers will cause the Company to, obtain estoppel
certificates  in the form and  substance  of the  Tenant  Estoppel  Certificates
attached  hereto as Exhibits  H-1 and H-2 with respect to all of the Leased Real
Property.

          7.14. Option Exercise Period; Option Cancellation
Agreements.

(a) The Company  shall provide to each holder of  outstanding  Options not later
than the first business day after the date hereof, a written notice stating that
during the period (the "Option Notice Period")  commencing on the first business
day after the date  hereof  and  ending on the  twentieth  (20th)  calendar  day
thereafter,  such holder  shall have the right to exercise  in  accordance  with
their terms any Options which are then vested,  and the Company shall permit the
exercise of such Options in accordance with their terms.

          (b) The Company shall use  commercially  reasonable  efforts to obtain
from all holders of outstanding Options executed Option Cancellation  Agreements
which will be delivered to Purchaser prior to the Closing Date. The Semlers, the
Shareholders  and the Company  agree not to enter into any  agreement to provide
any holder of  outstanding  Options  an  alternative  to either:  (i) the Option
Cancellation  Agreement or (ii) exercise of the Options in accordance with their
terms as of the date hereof.

          7.15.  FIRPTA  Certificate.  The Company  shall execute and deliver to
Purchaser,  prior to the Closing  Date,  an affidavit by the Company,  dated not
more than twenty (20) days prior to the Closing Date, certifying,  under penalty
of  perjury,  that the  Company  is not and has not been a  United  States  real
property  holding  corporation  (as  defined in Section  897(c)(2)  of the Code)
during the applicable period specified in Section  897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code,
and that, as of the Closing Date,  interests in the Company shall not constitute
United States real property  interests  (within the meaning of Section 897(c)(1)
of the Code). The aforementioned affidavit shall be in the form and

                                      -35-

<PAGE>



meet  the  requirements  prescribed  by the  Code  and the  applicable  Treasury
Regulations (and shall be acceptable to Purchaser).

          7.16.  Creation of Merger Sub.  Purchaser will create Merger Sub under
the OBCA as soon as  practicable  after  Parent and  Purchaser  receive from the
lenders  under the Senior Credit  Agreement all consents,  waivers and approvals
required from such lenders for Purchaser to create that Subsidiary.  The parties
agree  that the  complete  responsibility  for and the  entire  risk  that  such
consents, waivers and approvals are obtained and that the creation of Merger Sub
occurs  is on  Parent  and  Purchaser  and  failure  shall  not be the basis for
termination of this Agreement by Parent or Purchaser or any delay of the closing
of the transactions contemplated hereby.

          7.17.  Shareholder  Indebtedness.  Each of the  Semlers and the Semler
Trusts,  Parent  and  Purchaser  acknowledges  and agrees  that the  Shareholder
Indebtedness  shall be satisfied in full through  offset of the amounts  payable
under the  promissory  notes  issuable to each of the Semler Trusts  pursuant to
Section  2.3(a) for each  promissory  note in an amount  equal to fifty  percent
(50%) of the full amount of the Shareholder  Indebtedness,  notwithstanding that
the Shareholder  Indebtedness is not an obligation of the Semler Trusts. Each of
the Semlers hereby acknowledges and agrees that by executing this Agreement, the
Company has given the Semlers  proper  demand for payment on the Closing Date of
the full amount of the Shareholder Indebtedness.

          7.18. Related Party Agreements.  Each of the Semlers, the Shareholders
and the  Company:  (a)  agrees  that,  notwithstanding  any  contrary  provision
contained in any of the Related  Party  Agreements,  neither the  execution  and
delivery of this Agreement or any of the Documents executed and delivered by the
Semlers,  any Shareholder or the Company,  the  performance by the Semlers,  any
Shareholder  or the Company of the  obligations  hereunder or thereunder nor the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, violates, is in
conflict  with  or  constitutes  a  default  under  any  of  the  Related  Party
Agreements;  (b)  waives any  notice,  consent or  approval  otherwise  required
pursuant  to  the  Related  Party  Agreements  for  such  execution,   delivery,
performance  and  consummation  and (c) agrees that  without any further  action
required  by any  of the  parties  thereto,  that  each  of  the  Related  Party
Agreements shall be deemed to be terminated and of no further force or effect as
of immediately  preceding the Effective Time,  provided,  however,  that nothing
contained in this Section  7.18 shall affect any payment  obligations  for money
borrowed  which the Semlers or the Semler  Trusts may have to CCI under the Loan
and Stock Option Agreement and Loan Modification  Agreement  included within the
definition  of  Related  Party  Agreements  so long as such  obligations  remain
recourse  only to the personal  assets of the Semlers.  CCI agrees that,  at the
Closing,  it shall  release  the Company  pursuant  to the  release  required by
Section  9.8  from  any and all  obligations  or  claims  against  the  Company,
including  claims  against the Stock,  that CCI may have under any Related Party
Agreement.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                     CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF EACH PARTY

The obligations of each party to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
shall be subject to the  fulfillment,  at or prior to the Closing  Date,  of the
following conditions:

                                      -36-

<PAGE>



          8.1.  HSR  Act.  The  waiting  period  (and  any  extension   thereof)
applicable  to the  Merger  under  the  HSR  Act  shall  have  expired  or  been
terminated.

          8.2. No Action or Proceeding;  Compliance with Law. No claim,  action,
suit or other  proceeding  shall be pending or  threatened  by any  Governmental
Authority or private  Person  before any court,  agency or  administrative  body
which creates a substantial likelihood that the consummation of the transactions
contemplated  by  this  Agreement  will be  restrained,  enjoined  or  otherwise
prevented  or that any  material  damages will be recovered or other relief (the
effect of which  would  materially  impair  the value of the Merger to Parent or
Purchaser)  obtained as a result of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  No
provision of any  applicable  law or any judgment,  injunction,  order or decree
shall prohibit the Merger.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                      CONDITIONS TO PURCHASER'S OBLIGATIONS

The  obligations  of Parent and Purchaser to cause Merger Sub to consummate  the
Merger and the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to
the satisfaction, at or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions:

          9.1.   Representations   and  Warranties.   The   representations  and
warranties  made  by the  Semlers,  the  Shareholders  and the  Company  in this
Agreement and in the Documents  executed and delivered by any  Shareholder,  the
Semlers or the  Company  shall be true and correct on the date hereof and on and
as of the  Closing  Date with the same force and effect as though made on and as
of the Closing Date,  except that any such  representations  or warranties  made
with reference to a specified date shall have been true on and with reference to
such date and except for breaches of any such representations or warranties that
do not have,  individually or in the aggregate,  a Material  Adverse Effect with
respect to the Company.

          9.2. Performance. With respect to agreements,  covenants,  obligations
and conditions set forth herein and required to be performed or complied with by
the  Semlers,  the  Shareholders  and/or the  Company on or prior to the Closing
Date, the Semlers,  the Shareholders and the Company shall have performed in all
material  respects  (except that any thereof which,  by the terms  thereof,  are
qualified so as to require material  performance or compliance must be performed
and complied with as written),  each such  agreement,  covenant,  obligation and
condition;  provided,  however,  that the failure of Purchaser,  Parent or their
Affiliates  to obtain bank consent or financing  with respect to any part of the
transactions  contemplated hereby shall not be a precondition to the obligations
of Parent or Purchaser hereunder, unless such failure results primarily from the
actions  or  failure  to act on the  part of the  Semlers,  the  Company  or the
Shareholders.

         9.3.  Legal  Opinions.  Parent and Purchaser  shall have been furnished
with  opinions  of  counsel,  dated the Closing  Date,  in the form  attached as
Exhibit I-1 and Exhibit I-2.

9.4. Required Consents. The Company shall have
delivered to Purchaser  executed  consents to the Merger of the other parties to
the agreements referred to in Schedule 4.4.


                                      -37-

<PAGE>



          9.5. Certificates. The Semlers, the Shareholders and the Company shall
have furnished to Purchaser such  certificates  to evidence  compliance with the
conditions  set  forth  in this  Agreement  as may be  reasonably  requested  by
Purchaser, including certificates of appropriate officers of the Company stating
that the  conditions  set forth in Sections 9.1 and 9.2 have been  satisfied and
including  appropriate  certification  of  articles  of  incorporation,  bylaws,
corporate resolutions and incumbency in the form of Exhibit J.

          9.6.  Resignation.  The Company shall have delivered to Purchaser,  in
form  and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to  Purchaser  and its  counsel,
resignations  of all  members  of the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company  and
terminations  with  respect to all powers of attorney  and agency  relationships
specified by Purchaser  prior to the Closing,  in each case  effective as of the
Closing Date and conditioned on the Closing.

          9.7.  Signature  Authority.  The  Company  shall have taken all action
satisfactory  to Purchaser to cause the termination of the power of such persons
as shall be  requested  by  Purchaser  in  writing,  to  borrow,  discount  debt
obligations,  cash or draw checks or otherwise act on behalf of the Company with
respect to the bank accounts listed on Schedule 4.1(e).

          9.8. Waiver of Rights. At the Closing,  the Semlers,  each Shareholder
and each of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company  shall have, on
behalf of itself and its  Affiliates,  executed  and  delivered  to  Purchaser a
release  in the form of  Exhibit  K. At the  Closing,  BT Alex.  Brown and Ragen
MacKenzie  Incorporated  shall  have  provided  Purchaser  with  a  confirmation
reasonably  satisfactory  to  Purchaser  stating  that  all of  their  fees  and
commissions for which Purchaser or Company may be responsible in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby have been paid in full.

          9.9.  Non-Competition  Agreement.  The Company shall have delivered to
Purchaser a Non-Competition Agreement in the form of Exhibit L-1 executed by the
Semlers and the Semler  Trusts and a  Non-Competition  Agreement  in the form of
Exhibit L-2 executed by Gregory T. Semler.

          9.10.  Certification of Minimum  Shareholders'  Equity and Net Current
Assets.  The Company shall have delivered to Purchaser a certificate in the form
of Exhibit M (the  "Closing  Certificate"),  which shall be signed by Herbert J.
Semler in his capacity as Chief Executive  Officer of the Company and Shirley L.
Semler in her capacity as Executive Vice President of the Company. The amount of
Shareholders'  Equity of the Company  and Net Current  Assets of the Company set
forth  in  the  Closing  Certificate  shall  each  be at  least  $2,000,000  and
$2,750,000,  respectively,  measured in a manner consistent with Section 2.2(a);
provided,  however, that for purposes of this Section 9.10, the amount of Excess
Transactional Expenses shall be deemed to be zero.

          9.11. Company Debt Payoff; Releases.

(a) Purchaser shall have received a payoff
letter from the United  States  National Bank of Oregon  indicating  all amounts
required to be paid in order to satisfy the Company  Debt in full on the Closing
Date. The pledges of Stock to secure Company Debt granted  pursuant to the Stock
Pledge   Agreement  dated  June  20,  1996  by  and  among  Herbert  J.  Semler,
individually


                                      -38-

<PAGE>



and as trustee  under trust  agreement  dated May 25,  1993,  for the benefit of
Herbert J. Semler,  Shirley L. Semler,  individually  and as trustee under trust
agreement  dated May 25, 1993, for the benefit of Shirley L. Semler,  Gregory T.
Semler and the United States National Bank of Oregon referred to in Schedule 3.1
and  other  liens to  secure  repayment  of the  Company  Debt  shall  have been
released.

         (b) The Company  shall have been released from its guaranty in favor of
Kansas City Life Insurance  Company and from its  indebtedness,  obligations and
guarantees  to the United States  National Bank of Oregon,  each release in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser.

          9.12. Option Cancellation Agreements. If the Scheduled Closing Date is
prior to the  expiration  of the Option  Notice  Period,  the Company shall have
delivered to Purchaser either: (i) executed Option Cancellation  Agreements from
each holder of  outstanding  Options (or waiver of the Option Notice  Period) or
(ii) an opinion of Stoel Rives LLP reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser that the
only right against the Company which would be available to a holder of an Option
who  neither  executes  and  delivers  to the  Company  an  Option  Cancellation
Agreement  nor waives any claim he may have  against  the Company as a result of
consummation  of the Merger prior to the  expiration of the Option Notice Period
would be to receive either the Per Share Merger  Consideration for each share of
Stock subject to the Option or the Option Value.


                                    ARTICLE X

          CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDERS

The obligations of the Company and the Shareholders to
consummate the Merger and the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement shall
be  subject  to the  satisfaction,  at or  before  the  Closing,  of each of the
following conditions:

          10.1.   Representations   and  Warranties.   The  representations  and
warranties made by Parent and Purchaser in this Agreement,  and in the Documents
executed and delivered by Parent and Purchaser  shall be true and correct on the
date hereof and on and as of the Closing  Date with the same force and effect as
though made on and as of the Closing Date,  except that any such  representation
or warranty made with  reference to a specified date shall have been true on and
with   reference  to  such  date  and  except  for  any  breaches  of  any  such
representations  or  warranties  that  do  not  have,  individually  or  in  the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Parent or Purchaser.

          10.2. Performance. With respect to agreements,  covenants, obligations
and conditions set forth herein and required to be performed or complied with by
Parent and/or Purchaser on or prior to the Closing Date, Parent and/or Purchaser
shall have performed in all material respects (except that any thereof which, by
the terms  thereof,  are  qualified  so as to require  material  performance  or
compliance must be performed and complied with as written), each such agreement,
covenant, obligation and condition.



                                      -39-

<PAGE>



          10.3. Opinion of Purchaser's Counsel. The Company and the Shareholders
shall have been  furnished  with an opinion or opinions  of  counsel,  dated the
Closing Date in the form of Exhibit N.

          10.4.  Certificates.  Parent and Purchaser shall have furnished to the
Company and the Shareholders such  certificates to evidence  compliance with the
conditions  set forth in this  Agreement as may be  reasonably  requested by the
Company,  including certificates of appropriate officers of Parent and Purchaser
stating  that the  conditions  set  forth in  Sections  10.1 and 10.2  have been
satisfied and including appropriate  certification of articles of incorporation,
bylaws,  corporate resolutions and incumbency.  Parent also shall have furnished
to  the  Company  and  the  Shareholders  a  certificate  stating  that,  to its
knowledge,  no event has  occurred  which would cause  Parent to believe that it
will not be able to obtain  sufficient  funds to pay the amounts owing under the
promissory  notes  issued  pursuant  to Section  2.3(a)  hereunder  on the Final
Payment Date.

          10.5. Payment of Company Debt; Release of Guarantee.  The Company Debt
shall have been paid and the Semlers shall have been released from the guarantee
of the Company's  obligations  under that certain loan agreement  dated June 20,
1996,  by and  among  the  Company,  the  Semlers,  individually  and  in  their
respective  capacities as trustees of the Semler  Trusts,  and the United States
National Bank of Oregon.

          10.6.  Merger Sub.  Merger Sub shall have executed a  countersignature
page to this  agreement  jointly  taking  on the  obligations  of the  Purchaser
hereunder in the form of Exhibit O.


                                   ARTICLE XI

                                   TERMINATION

Unless Purchaser, the Company and the Shareholder
Representative otherwise agree in writing, this Agreement shall be terminated if
the Closing does not occur on the  Scheduled  Closing Date. In the event of such
termination,  each party to this Agreement  shall remain fully liable in damages
for his  failure to fulfill or perform  those  obligations  he was  required  to
fulfill  or  perform,  as the  case  may be,  on or  prior  to the  date of such
termination.


                                   ARTICLE XII

                     NATURE AND SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS
                         AND WARRANTIES; INDEMNIFICATION

          12.1.    Survival   of   Representations,    Warranties,    etc.   All
representations  and warranties of the parties set forth in this Agreement,  and
the rights of the parties to seek  indemnification  with respect thereto,  shall
survive the Closing. Such representations and warranties,  and the rights of the
parties to seek indemnification with respect thereto,  shall expire, except with
respect  to claims  asserted  prior to and  pending  at the time of  expiration,
fifteen (15) months following the Closing; provided that the representations and
warranties contained in Sections 3.1, 3.2, 4.2(a)(i),


                                      -40-

<PAGE>



       4.2(b), 4.2 (c), 4.3 and 5.1 shall survive indefinitely (or if indefinite
survival is not  permitted  by law,  then for the maximum  period  permitted  by
applicable  law) and provided  further that the  representations  and warranties
contained  in  Section  4.13 shall  survive  for seven (7) years  following  the
Closing.  All such  representations  and warranties shall be deemed to have been
given and made on the date  hereof  and as of the  Closing  Date.  Except as set
forth herein,  all of the covenants,  agreements and  obligations of the parties
hereto,  hereunder  and under any of the  Documents,  shall  survive the Closing
indefinitely  (or if  indefinite  survival is not permitted by law, then for the
maximum period  permitted by applicable law). The liability of any party for any
breach of any  representation  or warranty set forth herein shall not be limited
by the  knowledge  of any  Indemnified  Party or any  Affiliate  thereof and the
existence  of any such  knowledge  shall not  constitute  a defense  to any such
indemnification   obligation,   unless  such  Indemnified  Party  has  expressly
acknowledged  (by  a  certificate  executed  by an  executive  officer  of  such
Indemnified  Party and delivered to the Indemnifying  Party prior to the Closing
which  recites  the facts which give rise to the  breach)  that the  Indemnified
Party is aware of such facts.

          12.2. Semlers' and Shareholders' Agreement to Indemnify.

          (a) The Semlers and the Semler Trusts (and, prior to the Closing,  the
Company),  jointly and severally, and each of the Other Shareholders,  severally
(with  respect  to each of the Other  Shareholders  only,  to the  extent of its
Shareholder  Percentage),  shall defend,  indemnify  and hold  harmless  Parent,
Purchaser  and  Merger  Sub (and,  effective  from and after  the  Closing,  the
Company) (each, a "Purchaser Indemnitee"), their respective Affiliates and their
respective officers, directors, shareholders,  employees and agents, against and
in respect of any and all liabilities,  losses, damages, deficiencies,  Taxes or
expenses (including the reasonable expenses of investigation and reasonable fees
and  expenses  of  counsel)  ("Losses")  resulting  from,  arising out of, or in
connection  with:  (i) any  breach  of any  representation  or  warranty  of the
Company,  the Semlers or any  Shareholder  contained in this  Agreement  (or any
representation  or  warranty  deemed  to have been  made by the  Semlers  or any
Shareholder  pursuant  to Section  13.1);  (ii) any breach by the  Company,  the
Semlers or any  Shareholder  of any  covenant  or  agreement  contained  in this
Agreement  (or  deemed  to have  been  made by the  Semlers  or any  Shareholder
pursuant to Section 13.1); (iii) any CompressAR Business Liabilities  (provided,
that the  Other  Shareholders  shall  have no  indemnification  obligation  with
respect to the CompressAR Business  Liabilities);  (iv) any Excess Transactional
Expenses  (except to the extent that such  Excess  Transactional  Expenses  were
either  subtracted from the amounts paid under the promissory  notes referred to
in Section 2.3 or reflected in the Closing  Balance  Sheet);  (v) any claim by a
holder of an Option that in  connection  with the Merger the  Company  failed to
comply with the twenty day notice provision contained in section 12 of the Stock
Option Plan and (vi) any and all actions, suits,  proceedings,  claims, demands,
assessments, judgments, costs and expenses incident to any of the foregoing.

          (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12.2(a),  and subject to
the provisions of Section 12.2(d), no claim for indemnification  hereunder shall
be made against the Semlers or any of the  Shareholders  for Losses  arising out
of: (x) any matter described in Section 12.2(a)(i);  (y) any matter described in
Section  12.2(a)(ii) (other than with respect to matters covered by Sections 6.1
and 7.8) or (z) any matter described in Section  12.2(a)(vi)  (with respect only
to the  matters  referred to in clauses  (x) and (y) of this  Section  12.2(b)),
unless and until the  aggregate  amount of Losses  with  respect to the  matters
covered thereby exceed $1,000,000, in which event


                                      -41-

<PAGE>



the Semlers and the Semler Trusts, jointly and severally,  and each of the Other
Shareholders, severally (with respect to each of the Other Shareholders only, to
the extent of its  Shareholder  Percentage),  shall be required to indemnify the
Purchaser Indemnitees for any and all Losses in excess of $500,000.

          (c) (i) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12.2(a), and subject
to the  provisions of Section  12.2(d),  the Semlers,  the Semler Trusts and the
Other Shareholders collectively shall not be required to indemnify any Purchaser
Indemnitee  for  Losses  arising  out of: (x) any  matter  described  in Section
12.2(a)(i);  (y) any matter  described in Section  12.2(a)(ii)  (other than with
respect to matters covered by Sections 6.1 and 7.8) or (z) any matter  described
in Section  12.2(a)(vi) (with respect only to the matters referred to in clauses
(i)(x) and (y) of this Section  12.2(c)),  in an  aggregate  amount in excess of
$10,000,000.

          (ii)  Notwithstanding  anything in this  Agreement to the contrary but
subject  to the  other  provisions  of  this  Section  12.2,  if  any  Purchaser
Indemnitee is
entitled to indemnification  under this Section 12.2 on account of any Loss, the
obligation of each Other  Shareholder in respect thereof shall be limited to the
amount of such Loss multiplied by its Shareholder Percentage, provided, however,
that such limitation  shall not apply to the breach by any Other  Shareholder of
any of his representations or warranties contained in Article III.

          (iii)  Notwithstanding  anything in this Agreement to the contrary but
subject  to  the  other   provisions   of  this  Section   12.2,  no  claim  for
indemnification  hereunder  shall be made  against  CCI more than  fifteen  (15)
months after the Closing,  except with respect to claims  asserted  prior to and
pending at such time and claims under Article III.

          (d) The limitations contained in Sections 12.2(b) and (c)(i) shall not
apply in respect of any breach of any  representation  or warranty  contained in
any of Sections 3.1, 3.2,  4.1(c)(iii)(z),  4.2, 4.3 or 7.12 (regarding the book
value and tax basis of the CompressAR Net Assets).

          (e)  Notwithstanding  anything  in  this  Agreement  to the  contrary,
Purchaser  Indemnitees  shall not be  entitled  to  receive  indemnification  on
account of any Losses (other than losses  described in Section  12.2(a)(iii) and
any Losses  arising out of or resulting from a breach of the  representation  or
warranty  contained in Section 7.12  (regarding  the book value and tax basis of
the CompressAR Net Assets),  other than with respect to the Other  Shareholders)
in excess of an aggregate amount equal to the sum of: (i) the Purchase Price and
(ii) the amount of any Transactional  Expenses (other than Excess  Transactional
Expenses).

          (f) For purposes of Section  12.2(a)(i),  whether there has occurred a
breach of any  representation  or warranty  which is qualified as to  knowledge,
materiality  or both shall be determined as if such  representation  or warranty
were made without any such  qualification,  except with respect to the knowledge
qualification contained in Section 4.10(c).

          12.3. Parent and Purchaser's Agreement to Indemnify.

          (a)  Parent,  Purchaser  and the  Surviving  Corporation,  jointly and
severally, shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless each Shareholder (and prior
to the Closing, the Company),


                                      -42-

<PAGE>



against  and in  respect  of any Losses  resulting  from:  (i) any breach of any
representation  or warranty of Parent or Purchaser  contained in this Agreement;
(ii) any  breach  by  Parent,  Purchaser  or the  Surviving  Corporation  of any
covenant or agreement  made in this  Agreement  or in any Document  executed and
delivered by Parent,  Purchaser or the Surviving  Corporation  and (iii) any and
all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, assessments,  judgments, costs
and expenses incident to any of the foregoing.

          (b) For purposes of Section  12.3(a)(i),  whether there has occurred a
breach of any  representation  or warranty  which is qualified as to  knowledge,
materiality  or both shall be determined as if such  representation  or warranty
were made without any such qualification.

          12.4. Third Party Claims.

          (a)  Promptly  after the receipt by any party  hereto of notice of any
claim,  action,  suit or  proceeding  of any third  party  which is  subject  to
indemnification  hereunder,  such party ("Indemnified Party") shall give written
notice of such claim to the party obligated to provide indemnification hereunder
("Indemnifying  Party"),  stating  the  nature  and basis of such  claim and the
amount thereof,  to the extent known.  Failure of the Indemnified  Party to give
such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability which it
may have on account of its  indemnification  obligation or otherwise,  except to
the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced thereby.

         (b) So long as the Indemnifying Party provides  assurances,  reasonably
acceptable to the Indemnified  Party, that the Indemnifying  Party is capable of
satisfying all Losses that may arise in respect of any matter,  the Indemnifying
Party shall be entitled to elect to  participate in the defense of and, if it so
chooses,  to assume the defense of such claim,  action,  suit or proceeding with
counsel  selected by the Indemnifying  Party and reasonably  satisfactory to the
Indemnified  Party.  Upon any such election by the Indemnifying  Party to assume
the defense of such claim,  action,  suit or proceeding,  the Indemnifying Party
shall not be liable for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the
Indemnified  Party in connection with the defense  thereof,  provided,  that the
Indemnified Party may, at its option and at its own expense, participate in such
defense  and  employ  counsel   separate  from  the  counsel   employed  by  the
Indemnifying  Party. The  Indemnifying  Party shall be liable for the reasonable
fees and expenses of counsel employed by the Indemnified Party for any period in
which the  Indemnifying  Party has not assumed the defense  thereof  (other than
during  any  period in which the  Indemnified  Party  failed to give the  notice
provided  above).  The  parties  shall use  commercially  reasonable  efforts to
minimize  Losses  from  claims by third  parties  and shall act in good faith in
responding  to,  defending  against,  settling or  otherwise  dealing  with such
claims, notwithstanding any dispute as to liability as between the parties under
this Article XII. The parties  shall also  cooperate in any such  defense,  give
each other full access to all  information  relevant  thereto and make employees
and other  representatives  available on a mutually  convenient basis to provide
additional  information  and  explanation  of any material  provided  hereunder.
Whether or not the  Indemnifying  Party  shall have  assumed  the  defense,  the
Indemnifying  Party shall not be obligated to indemnify  the  Indemnified  Party
hereunder for any settlement entered into without the Indemnifying Party's prior
written  consent,  which consent shall not be unreasonably  withheld or delayed.
The  Indemnifying  Party shall not settle any claim  without  the prior  written
consent  of the  Indemnified  Party,  which  consent  shall not be  unreasonably
withheld or delayed. The provisions of this Section


                                      -43-

<PAGE>



          12.4(b) shall not apply to any claims,  actions,  suits or proceedings
which  are  subject  to  indemnification  hereunder  as a result  of any  matter
referred to on Schedule 4.10 or any breach of the representations and warranties
contained  in Section  4.10  (including  the  Company's  failure to disclose any
matter on Schedule 4.10 which should have been disclosed).

          (c) If any party to this  Agreement  shall  receive from a third party
any claim or assertion  relating to any matter  referred to on Schedule  4.10 or
any matter which should have been  disclosed on Schedule 4.10 (an  "Intellectual
Property Claim"), then the party becoming so informed shall promptly, but in all
events  within twenty (20) days,  notify the other parties to this  Agreement of
the claim or  assertion  and shall  provide with such notice  reasonable  detail
relating  thereto.  Parent  and  Purchaser  shall  have the right to defend  any
Intellectual  Property  Claim  with  litigation  counsel of its choice and shall
instruct  said  counsel  to  diligently  and   energetically   defend  any  such
Intellectual Property Claim. Purchaser shall keep the Shareholder Representative
apprised of the  developments  in the action.  The Semlers and the  Shareholders
shall  cooperate  in  the  defense  of the  claim,  including  making  available
documents  and/or  witnesses  as may be within the control of the Semlers or the
Shareholders,  cooperating  in assisting  Parent and  Purchaser to determine all
particulars  of operation of the accused  product or method,  and in identifying
and proving  counterclaims  against the third party.  Parent and Purchaser shall
retain  control  of the  litigation  and shall  have the right to make the final
decision  with  respect to  defenses,  counterclaims,  settlement  and  strategy
(provided  that,  prior to the making any such final  decision,  Purchaser shall
consult with the  Shareholder  Representative  and afford him an  opportunity to
present his views).  The Semlers and the Shareholders shall strictly observe all
conduct  and  communication  rules that  litigation  counsel  shall  impose with
respect to the claim or litigation, including issuance of press releases, public
statements,  and statements to  individuals  within the employ of the Semlers or
the  Shareholders  who  either  do not  have a  strict  need  know,  or to  whom
communication  would be restricted by reason of any protective  order in effect.
The  Shareholders  shall not be  obligated  to  indemnify  Parent and  Purchaser
hereunder for any settlement  entered into without the prior written  consent of
the Shareholder Representative (and the Shareholder Representative agrees not to
unreasonably   withhold   such   consent),   provided,   that  the   Shareholder
Representative shall have complied in all material respects with its obligations
under this Section 12.4(c).  Notwithstanding the forgoing,  Parent and Purchaser
shall  defend the  Intellectual  Property  Claims in a  commercially  reasonable
manner and consistent with the defense of such matter as if Parent and Purchaser
were not  entitled to  indemnification  hereunder,  including  in the context of
considering offers of settlement.  Purchaser agrees to work with the Shareholder
Representative in an attempt to arrive at commercially  reasonable  settlements,
to  the  extent  practicable.   Parent  and  Purchaser  shall  use  commercially
reasonable efforts to minimize Losses from claims by third parties and shall act
in good faith in responding to, defending against, settling or otherwise dealing
with such  claims,  notwithstanding  any dispute as to  liability as between the
parties under this Article XII.

          12.5.  Effect of Taxes and  Insurance.  The  amount of any  Losses for
which  indemnification  is provided  under this  Article XII shall be reduced to
take  account of any net Tax benefit  realized  and shall be  increased  to take
account of any net Tax detriment realized arising from the incurrence or payment
of any such Losses or from the receipt of any such  indemnification  payment and
shall be reduced by the insurance  proceeds  received and any other  amount,  if
any,  recovered from third parties by the Indemnified  Party (or its Affiliates)
with respect to any Losses.  If any Indemnified  Party (or its Affiliates) shall
have  received  any  indemnification  payment  pursuant to this Article XII with
respect to any Loss, such Indemnified Party shall, upon written request by the


                                      -44-

<PAGE>



Indemnifying  Party,  assign to such  Indemnifying  Party (to the  extent of the
indemnification  payment) any claim which such Indemnified  Party may have under
any  applicable  insurance  policy which provides  coverage for such Loss.  Such
Indemnified Party shall reasonably cooperate (at the expense of the Indemnifying
Party) to collect under such insurance  policy. If any Indemnified Party (or its
Affiliates)  shall have  received any payment  pursuant to this Article XII with
respect  to any Loss  and had or  shall  subsequently  have  received  insurance
proceeds or other amounts with respect to such Loss, then such Indemnified Party
(or its Affiliates) shall promptly pay over to the Indemnifying Party the amount
so  recovered  (after  deducting  the amount of the  expenses  incurred by it in
procuring such recovery),  but not in excess of the amount previously so paid by
the Indemnifying Party.

          12.6. Purchase Price Adjustment. Any amount paid by the Semlers or the
Shareholders  on the one hand,  or Parent or Purchaser on the other hand, to the
other  pursuant  to this  Article  XII will be treated  for Tax  purposes  as an
adjustment to the aggregate Merger Consideration.

          12.7. Due Date; Interest.  All payments required to be made under this
Article XII shall be due upon the later of (a)  incurrence  of the Loss to which
such required  indemnification  payment  relates or (b) the date the  promissory
notes  delivered  pursuant  to  Section  2.3 are paid in full and shall  include
interest at the rate of ten percent  (10%) per annum  compounded  annually  from
such due date through the date of payment.

          12.8.  Remedies  Exclusive.  After the  Closing,  the  remedies of the
parties set forth in this Article XII shall be deemed to be the exclusive remedy
for  breaches of any  representation,  warranty  or covenant  (other than fraud)
contained in this Agreement that would otherwise be available to the parties.


                                  ARTICLE XIII

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

          13.1.  Representations/Covenants  of the Shareholders and the Company.
If the Closing  occurs,  all  representations  and warranties (to the extent the
same survive the Closing as  contemplated in Section 12.1) and all covenants and
agreements  of the  Company  or any or all  Shareholders  and the  Company  made
pursuant to this Agreement and the Documents  executed and delivered by any such
persons  (but for the  Company,  only such  Documents as are entered into by the
Company  prior  to the  Closing)  shall  be  deemed  to be  representations  and
warranties,  covenants and agreements solely of the Semlers and each Shareholder
(and not of the Company) for all purposes  hereunder (other than with respect to
the  Closing  Certificate),  including  Article  XII  and  the  Semlers  and the
Shareholders  (and each of them) will be liable and  responsible,  in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement, for any breach thereof.

          13.2.  Amendment  and  Modification.  This  Agreement  may be amended,
modified or supplemented only by written agreement of all of the parties hereto.

          13.3. Waiver. Any breach of any obligation, covenant,
agreement or condition contained herein shall be deemed waived by the
non-breaching party, only by a writing, setting forth


                                      -45-

<PAGE>



with particularity the breach being waived and the scope of the waiver, but such
waiver  shall not  operate  as a waiver of, or  estoppel  with  respect  to, any
subsequent  or other  breach.  No waiver  shall be implied  from any  conduct or
action of the  non-breaching  party.  No failure by any party in exercising  any
right,  power or  privilege  hereunder or under the  Documents  and no course of
dealing by any party shall operate as a waiver and any right, power or privilege
hereunder or under any Document nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof
or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

          13.4. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
required or permitted  hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given when delivered:

   If to Parent, Purchaser, Merger Sub or (after the Merger) the Company, to:

                              ALARIS Medical, Inc.
                             10221 Wateridge Circle
                               San Diego, CA 92121
                       Attention: Chief Executive Officer
                           (619) 458-7000 (telephone)
                            (619) 458-7760 (telecopy)

                                 with a copy to:

                             Gordon Altman Butowsky
                              Weitzen Shalov & Wein
                              114 West 47th Street
                            New York, New York 10036
                      Attention: Marjorie Sybul Adams, Esq.
                           (212) 626-0861 (telephone)
                            (212) 626-0799 (telecopy)

                   If (prior to the Merger) to the Company to:

                                Instromedix, Inc.
                              One Technology Center
                           7431 N.E. Evergreen Parkway
                          Hillsboro, Oregon 97124-5898
                              Attention: James May
                         (503) 681-9000 x398 (telephone)
                            (503) 681-8230 (telecopy)

                   If    to the Semlers,  the  Shareholders  or the  Shareholder
                         Representative to:

                                Herbert J. Semler
                         6215 South West Hamilton Street
                             Portland, Oregon 97221

                                      -46-

<PAGE>



                                 with a copy to:

                            Capital Consultants, Inc.
                                 Capital Center
                              2300 SW First Avenue
                             Portland, Oregon 97201
                             Attention: Linda Lucas
                           (503) 241-1200 (telephone)
                            (503) 241-0448 (telecopy)

                                 with a copy to:

                           Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
                              1211 S.W. 5th Avenue
                                Suites 1600-1800
                             Portland, Oregon 97204
                         Attention: Carmen M. Calzacorta
                           (503) 796-2994 (telephone)
                            (503) 796-2900 (telecopy)

                                 with a copy to:

                                Latham & Watkins
                        650 Town Center Drive, Suite 2000
                          Costa Mesa, California 92626
                          Attention: Patrick T. Seaver
                           (714) 755-8204 (telephone)
                            (714) 755-8290 (telecopy)

or to such other  address or telecopy  number and with such other copies as such
party may hereafter  specify for the purpose of notice to the other party.  Each
such notice,  request,  demand or other  communication shall be effective (a) if
given by telecopy,  when such  telecopy is  transmitted  to the telecopy  number
specified in this Section and evidence of receipt is received or (b) if given by
any other means,  upon delivery or refusal of delivery at the address  specified
in this Section.

         13.5.  Binding  Nature;  Assignment.  This  Agreement  and  all  of the
provisions  hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto  and  their   respective   successors,   assigns,   heirs  and   personal
representatives  but neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,  interests or
obligations  hereunder  shall be assigned by any of the parties  hereto  without
prior written consent of the other parties;  provided,  however, that the rights
of Parent and/or Purchaser  hereunder may be assigned by Parent and/or Purchaser
to: (a) any lender or  financing  institution  as  security  for a loan or loans
(with respect to enforcement of Parent and/or Purchaser's rights hereunder after
the  Closing) or (b) any Person that  acquires all or  substantially  all of the
assets or business of Parent and/or Purchaser by purchase, merger, consolidation
or  otherwise  (in  which  case  Parent  and/or  Purchaser  shall  maintain  its
obligation jointly with such transferee).  The foregoing notwithstanding,  prior
to the  Closing  Date,  Parent  and/or  Purchaser  may assign  their  rights and
delegate their


                                      -47-

<PAGE>



obligations hereunder,  including rights and obligations relating to Merger Sub,
to any direct or indirect  wholly-owned  Subsidiary of Parent  and/or  Purchaser
("Assignee")  (in which case  Parent  and/or  Purchaser,  as  applicable,  shall
maintain  its/their  obligations  jointly with such  Assignee).  Such assignment
shall  be made  pursuant  to  documentation  in form  and  substance  reasonably
acceptable to the Company and the Shareholders.

         13.6. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the
legal  relations  among the parties hereto shall be governed by and construed in
accordance  with the laws of the State of New York  applicable to contracts made
and performed therein without regard to conflicts of law principles, except that
the  consummation  and  effectiveness  of the Merger  shall be governed  by, and
construed in accordance with the OBCA. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably: (a)
in any legal proceeding  brought in connection with this Agreement or any of the
Documents or the  transactions  contemplated  hereby or thereby,  submits to the
nonexclusive  in personam  jurisdiction  of (i) the United States District Court
for the Northern District of California or any California state court or (ii) in
the event that  Parent,  Purchaser,  Merger Sub or the Company is a defendant in
any legal proceeding in which it seeks to join the Semlers or any Shareholder as
a third party  defendant,  then,  any state or United States court in which such
proceeding has properly been brought,  and consents to suit therein;  (b) waives
any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of such  proceeding
in any such court or that such proceeding was brought in an inconvenient  court;
(c) designates Stoel Rives LLP (in the case of the Company,  the Semlers and the
Shareholders)  or Gordon Altman  Butowsky  Weitzen Shalov & Wein (in the case of
Purchaser)  as agent to receive  service of any and all process and documents on
their behalf in any legal  proceeding in the State of California  and (d) agrees
that nothing  herein shall affect any party's right to effect service of process
in any manner  permitted by law, and that Parent,  Purchaser,  the Company,  the
Semlers and the Shareholders shall have the right to bring any Legal Proceedings
(including  a proceeding  for  enforcement  of a judgment  entered by any of the
aforementioned  courts)  against any party in any other court or jurisdiction in
accordance with applicable law.

         13.7. Transactional Expenses. The Company shall deliver to Purchaser at
least  three (3)  business  days  prior to the  Closing,  a good  faith  written
estimate  of the  Company's  Transactional  Expenses  which shall be used in the
computation  of the Purchase  Price and the Per Share Merger  Consideration,  as
provided herein. The Transactional Expenses estimate shall be itemized and shall
contain  such  supporting  documentation  as  may  be  reasonably  requested  by
Purchaser.  If the  Closing  occurs,  Purchaser  agrees to pay, on behalf of the
Surviving  Corporation,  the Company's  Transactional Expenses at the Closing to
the extent not  theretofore  paid,  provided that Purchaser shall be entitled to
recoup the full amount of any Excess Transactional  Expenses by means of any one
or more of (without  duplication):  (a) a reduction  in the  Purchase  Price (as
contemplated  in  clause  (c) of the  definition  of  Purchase  Price),  (b) the
inclusion  of such Excess  Transactional  Expenses as a liability on the Closing
Balance Sheet or (c) by indemnification pursuant to Section 12.2(a).

           13.8. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in
one or more counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.


                                      -48-

<PAGE>



          13.9.  Headings;   References.  The  article,  section  and  paragraph
headings  contained in this Agreement are for reference  purposes only and shall
not  affect in any way the  meaning or  interpretation  of this  Agreement.  All
references herein to "Articles",  "Sections" or "Exhibits" shall be deemed to be
references  to  Articles  or  Sections  hereof  and to  Exhibits  hereto  unless
otherwise indicated.

         13.10. Entire Agreement.  This Agreement,  together with the Schedules,
Exhibits,  Documents and the Confidentiality  Agreement,  constitutes the entire
agreement  among the parties hereto  pertaining to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, schedules,  understandings,
documents (including  information provided or made available by any party to any
other party),  negotiations  and  discussions,  whether oral or written,  of the
parties hereto.

          13.11.  Drafting  Conventions.  Any use herein of the phrase  "and/or"
shall be deemed  to mean both  "and"  and  "or".  Any use  herein of the  phrase
"including"  shall  be  deemed  to mean  "including,  without  limitation".  The
masculine  gender used herein shall be deemed to include the feminine and neuter
genders,  and vice-versa,  and the singular or plural shall be deemed to include
the plural or singular, as the case may be, when required by context.

         13.12.     Arbitration.

          (a) Disputes that arise under or with respect to this  Agreement  will
be resolved as follows:

          (i) except as set forth in Section  13.12(c),  no party  shall bring a
civil action arising under or with respect to this Agreement;

          (ii) at any time any  party  may  demand  arbitration  of any  dispute
arising
under or with respect to this Agreement by delivering written notice thereof to:
(i) the  other  parties  and (ii) an  office of  JAMS/Endispute  located  in San
Francisco,  California  (or, if none then the office of  JAMS/Endispute  located
closest to San Francisco, California); and

          (iii)  any  such  arbitration  shall  be  conducted  at an  office  of
JAMS/Endispute  located in San  Francisco,  California  (or,  if none,  then the
office of JAMS/Endispute located closest to San Francisco, California) according
to  JAMS/Endispute's  Arbitration Rules then in effect applicable to disputes of
the
type submitted to arbitration and the results of such arbitration shall be final
and binding on the parties.

          (b) In the event that  JAMS/Endispute is not available to provide such
arbitration  services with respect to any such dispute,  then that dispute shall
be resolved by final, binding arbitration in San Francisco,  California by three
arbitrators  pursuant to the rules then  prevailing of the American  Arbitration
Association  applicable  to  disputes  of the  type  submitted  to  arbitration.
Judgment on the award rendered by any of the above referenced arbitrators may be
confirmed and entered in and by any court having jurisdiction.


                                      -49-

<PAGE>



          (c)  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  each party specifically  reserves
the right: (i) to seek equitable  remedies in a court of competent  jurisdiction
following arbitration of the underlying matter, if practicable and (ii) to bring
a third party  action  against any other party in any  proceeding  to which such
person (the  "Initiating  Person") is a party under  circumstances  in which the
basis of the claim by the Initiating Person against the other party is that such
other party is liable (under the Agreement or  otherwise),  in whole or in part,
for or in  respect  of any claim or  counterclaim  being  asserted  against  the
Initiating Person in such proceeding.

          (d) Other than disputes resolved pursuant to Section 2.2(b), the costs
and expenses  incurred by the parties in connection with any claim that has been
finally determined by arbitration pursuant thereto shall promptly be paid by (i)
the  claimant  in  proportion  to the  amount  of  its  claim  determined  to by
JAMS/Endispute to be invalid and (ii) the defendants in proportion to the amount
of the claim determined by JAMS/Endispute  to be valid (including,  for purposes
of both (i) and (ii) of this Section 13.12(d), reasonable fees and disbursements
of counsel  provided  that the Purchaser and Merger Sub shall have no obligation
to provide such  reimbursement  for more than one counsel for all of the Semlers
and the  Shareholders).  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the costs and expenses
incurred  by  the  prevailing  parties  (as  determined  by  JAMS/Endispute)  in
connection  with any  non-monetary  claim that has been  finally  determined  by
arbitration  pursuant  thereto shall promptly be paid by the other parties.  Any
amounts  required to be paid pursuant to this  paragraph (d) and Section  2.2(c)
shall be  disregarded  for  purpose of the  limitations  contained  in  Sections
12.2(b), 12.2(c) and 12.3(b).

           13.13. Appointment of Shareholder Representative.

          (a) Herbert L. Semler hereby is appointed, authorized and empowered to
act as a shareholder representative (the "Shareholder Representative"),  for the
benefit  of  the  Shareholders,   in  connection  with  and  to  facilitate  the
consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by the Merger  Agreement and the
Documents.  The Shareholder  Representative shall be the Shareholders' exclusive
agent and attorney-in-fact to act for and on behalf of each of them with respect
to any and all actions which maybe necessary or appropriate  under the Agreement
or the Documents,  which shall include the power and  authority:  (i) to execute
and deliver such waivers and consents in connection  with this Agreement and the
Documents  and the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and
thereby as the  Shareholder  Representative,  in his sole  discretion,  may deem
necessary or desirable;  (ii) to enforce or refrain from enforcing any rights of
the  Shareholders or any of them and/or the Shareholder  Representative  arising
out of or under or in any manner  relating to this  Agreement or the  Documents;
(iii)  to do any and  all  things  and to take  any  and  all  action  that  the
Shareholder  Representative,  in his sole and absolute discretion,  may consider
necessary  or  proper  or  convenient  in  connection  with or to carry  out the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Documents.

          (b) All of the powers granted to the Shareholder  Representative under
this Agreement  shall survive the Closing  and/or any  termination of the Merger
Agreement.

          (c) Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary, each Shareholder
hereby  acknowledges  that neither Parent,  Purchaser nor the Company shall have
any  responsibility or obligation  whatsoever to any Shareholder or to any other
party with respect to or arising out of any


                                      -50-

<PAGE>



actions  taken or any  inaction by the  Shareholder  Representative  and nothing
contained   herein  shall  limit  or  affect  in  any  manner   whatsoever   the
responsibilities or obligations of the Shareholder  Representative to, howsoever
arising,  or release the Shareholder  Representative  from any liabilities  with
respect to, Parent, Purchaser or the Company.

          (d) Parent and Purchaser shall have the right to rely upon all actions
taken or omitted to be taken by the Shareholder  Representative pursuant to this
Agreement and the Documents,  all of which actions or omissions shall be legally
binding upon the Shareholders.

          (e) The grant of authority  provided for herein (i) is coupled with an
interest  and  shall  be  irrevocable  and  survive  the  death,   incompetency,
bankruptcy  or  liquidation  of any  Shareholder;  and (ii)  shall  survive  the
delivery of any  assignment by a Shareholder of the whole or any fraction of his
interest hereunder, including his Shareholder Percentage.


                                   ARTICLE XIV

                                    GLOSSARY

          14.1. Definitions. The following terms as used in this Agreement shall
have the meaning indicated below.

          "Acquisition  Proposal"  means  any  proposal  for a  merger  or other
business  combination  to which the Company or any of its Affiliates is or would
be a party, or involving the  acquisition of any  substantial  interest in, or a
substantial  portion of the assets  of,  the  Company or any of its  Affiliates,
other than the transaction with Purchaser contemplated by this Agreement.

          "Affiliate"  means,  with  respect  to any  Person,  any other  person
controlling, controlled by or under common control with, such Person.

          "Aggregate Option Exercise  Proceeds" means the amount of proceeds the
Company  would have been  entitled to receive  upon the  exercise in full of all
Options (to the extent vested) which remain unexercised immediately prior to the
Effective  Time had such Options been so exercised  prior to the Effective  Time
(for this  purpose,  all  Options  which  are  subject  to  Option  Cancellation
Agreements shall be considered as unexercised Options.).

          "Appraised Value" means the greater of: (i) $450,000 and (ii) the book
value of the  CompressAR  Net  Assets  as of the date  immediately  prior to the
Closing.  The parties  acknowledge that $450,000  reflects (i) the book value of
the tangible  assets of the  CompressAR  business as set forth in the  appraisal
dated  May 31,  1998  prepared  by  David  J.  Schue,  CFA,  ASA,  of  Corporate
Valuations,  Inc.  and (ii) the  parties'  agreed upon value for the  intangible
assets of the Compress AR business.

          "Approvals" means, collectively,  permits, approvals,  authorizations,
registrations (including foreign product registrations),  consents,  clearances,
licenses, franchises, concessions,


                                      -51-

<PAGE>



orders,  exemptions  or  other  permits,  in each  case of all  governmental  or
regulatory agencies, whether federal, state, local or foreign.

          "Associate" has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2  promulgated under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

          "CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980, as amended.

          "Certificates"  means all certificates  which immediately prior to the
Effective Time represented outstanding shares of Stock.

          "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         "Company" means Instromedix, Inc., an Oregon corporation.

         "Company Debt" means all Indebtedness (including all accrued and unpaid
interest,  fees and  penalties,  if any) of the Company to United States Bank of
Oregon under the Loan Agreement  dated June 20, 1996, the $3,000,000  Promissory
Note and  Letter  Agreement  each  dated  October  3,  1997 and the  $297,231.88
Promissory Note dated March 31, 1995.

         "CompressAR  Business  Liabilities"  means any and all  liabilities  or
Losses (whether or not disclosed on Schedule 7.12) whether  contingent or fixed,
actual or potential, known or unknown,  substantially relating to the CompressAR
business  or any of the  activities  or  business,  plans or  policies  thereof,
including,  any such liability or Loss substantially resulting from, relating to
or arising in respect of the  transfer of the  CompressAR  business to Newco and
any such liability or Loss substantially relating to or arising in respect of or
any breach of any representation,  warranty,  covenant or agreement set forth in
Section 7.12 or  substantially  relating to or resulting from any transaction or
event  contemplated or engaged in pursuant to Section 7.12 (except to the extent
taken into account in  determining  the Purchase  Price) or any actions taken or
not taken by the Company with respect to the CompressAR business, its operations
or  business   including  all  obligations  to  employees  or  former  employees
(including  those  whose  activities  for the Company  were  required by or were
dedicated  substantially  to,  the  activities  relating  to the  conduct of the
business  or  activities  of  the   CompressAR   business)  in  respect  of  any
compensation, severance, COBRA obligation or Benefit Plans or otherwise.

         "Documents"   means  and  includes  and  is  deemed  to  refer  to  all
instruments,  certificates,  documents  and  agreements  to be  executed  and/or
delivered herewith or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

          "Encumbrances" means all mortgages,  deeds of trust, claims,  security
interests,  liens,  pledges,  leases,  subleases,   charges,  escrows,  options,
proxies,  rights of  occupancy,  rights  of first  refusal,  preemptive  rights,
covenants,   conditional   limitations,   hypothecations,   prior   assignments,
easements,  title retention agreements,  indentures,  security agreements or any
other encumbrances of any kind.



                                      -52-

<PAGE>



          "Environmental  Costs and Liabilities"  means any and all liabilities,
obligations,   damages,  deficiencies,   losses,  fines,  penalties,  judgments,
assessments, costs and expenses (including. without limitation, reasonable fees,
costs and  disbursements of legal counsel,  experts,  engineers and consultants)
arising  from  (a)  any  violation  by the  Company  of  Environmental  Laws  or
Environmental  Permits,   including  any  costs  incurred  to  remedy  any  such
violation;  (b) any Remedial  Action with  respect to any property  currently or
formerly  owned by the  Company;  (c) damages to  property or natural  resources
resulting from the Release by the Company of Hazardous Materials at any property
currently  or formerly  owned by the  Company;  (d) human  exposure to Hazardous
Materials in  connection  with the  Company's  operations  or (e) the Release of
Hazardous Materials at any property at which any Hazardous Material generated by
the Company was disposed of.

           "Environmental  Law" means any and all  foreign,  federal,  state and
local statutes,  ordinances,  regulations,  rules and judicial or administrative
decisions  and orders  relating to  environmental  quality,  pollution  control,
natural  resources,  health,  safety,  the  handling  and  disposal of Hazardous
Materials,  contamination and clean-up, including, without limitation, the Clean
Air Act, 42 U.S.C.  Section 7401 et seq.; the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section
1251 et seq.,  and the  Water  Quality  Act of 1987;  the  Federal  Insecticide,
Fungicide,  and  Rodenticide  Act 7  U.S.C.  Section  136 et  seq.;  the  Marine
Protection,  Research and Sanctuaries  Act, 33 U.S.C.  Section 1401 et seq.; the
National  Environmental  Policy Act, 42 U.S.C.  Section 4321 et seq.;  the Noise
Control Act, 42 U.S.C.  Section 4901 et seq.; the Occupational Safety and Health
Act, 29 U.S.C.  Section 651 et seq.; the Resource  Conservation and Recovery Act
42 U.S.C.  Section  6901 et seq.,  as amended by the  Hazardous  and Solid Waste
Amendments of 1984; the Safe Drinking Water Act; 42 U.S.C. Section 300f et seq.;
CERCLA;  the Toxic  Substances  Control Act 15 U.S.C.  Section 2601 et seq.; the
Atomic Energy Act, 42 U.S.C.  Section 2011 et seq., and the Nuclear Waste Policy
Act of 1982, 42 U.S.C.  Section 10101 et seq.; and state and local environmental
statutes and ordinances with implementing regulations and rules.

          "Environmental  Permits"  means any permit,  Approval,  authorization,
license,  variance,  registration  or permission  required  under any applicable
Environmental Law.

          "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, and the applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.

          "Excess Transactional Expenses" means the excess, if any, of:
(a) the entire amount of all Transactional Expenses over (b) $1,000,000.

          "FDA" means the United States Food and Drug Administration.

          "Federal Tax" means any tax imposed under the Code.

          "Final  Payment  Date" means the later to occur of: (a) the  Effective
Time or (b) the  earlier  to occur  of (i) the  first  business  day  after  the
expiration of the thirty-five  (35) day period  commencing on the date hereof or
(ii) the  receipt  by  Parent  of  proceeds  of not  less  than  $45,000,000  of
subordinated debt financing.


                                      -53-

<PAGE>



          "Governmental  Authority" means any foreign,  United States,  Federal,
State, municipal or other governmental department,  commission,  administration,
board, bureau, agency or instrumentality.

          "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles.

          "Hazardous  Material" means any of the following,  including  mixtures
thereof: any substance, pollutant, contaminant, waste, by-product or constituent
regulated   under  or  subject  to  the   requirements   of  the   Comprehensive
Environmental  Response,  Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601
et seq.;  oil and  petroleum  products  and natural  gas,  natural gas  liquids,
liquefied  natural gas and synthetic gas usable for fuel;  pesticides  regulated
under the Federal Insecticide,  Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. Section
136  et  seq.;   asbestos  and   asbestos-containing   materials,   PCB's,  urea
formaldehyde  foam  insulation and other  substances  regulated  under the Toxic
Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq.; source material, special
nuclear material,  by-product  material and any other  radioactive  materials or
radioactive wastes,  however produced,  regulated under the Atomic Energy Act or
the  Nuclear  Waste  Policy Act of 1982;  chemicals  subject to the OSHA  Hazard
Communication  Standard, 29 C.F.R. ss. 1910.1200 et seq.; industrial process and
pollution  control  wastes,  whether or not hazardous  within the meaning of the
Resource  Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C.  Section 6901 et seq; medical
waste and special waste;  and any other substance  defined in or regulated under
Environmental Laws.

          "HSR Act" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976, as amended.

         "Indebtedness"  means,  with respect to any Person,  any  indebtedness,
secured or  unsecured,  (a) in respect of  borrowed  money  (whether  or not the
recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a
portion  thereof),  and  evidenced  by  bonds,  notes,   debentures  or  similar
instruments  or letters of credit,  to the extent of the face value thereof (or,
in the case of  evidence  of  indebtedness  issued at a  discount,  the  current
accreted value thereof) or (b)  representing  the balance deferred and unpaid of
the  purchase  price of  property  or  services  (other  than  accounts  payable
(including  trade  payables) in the ordinary  course of business) and shall also
include,  to the  extent  not  otherwise  included,  (i) any  capitalized  lease
obligations  and (ii) the face  value of  guaranties  of items of other  Persons
which would be included within this  definition for such other Persons  (whether
or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of the guarantor).

         "Initial  Percentage" means the percentage obtained by multiplying 100%
by  a  fraction,  the  numerator  of  which  shall  be  the  difference  between
$25,000,000  and the  aggregate  Option  Value of all Options  subject to Option
Cancellation Agreements (rounded to the nearest $0.00001) and the denominator of
which shall be the Merger Consideration.

         "Intellectual Property" means, together, all Listed
Intellectual Property and all Other Intellectual Property.

         "IRS" means the United States Internal Revenue Service.



                                      -54-

<PAGE>



         "Legal  Proceeding"  means any  judicial,  administrative  or  arbitral
actions, suits, investigations,  proceedings (public or private) or governmental
proceedings.

          "Material Adverse Effect" means with respect to any Person, any change
or  effect  that has or that is  reasonably  likely to have a  material  adverse
effect  on the  condition  (financial  or  otherwise),  results  of  operations,
business,  prospects  or assets of such Person and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a
whole  (other  than as a result of  changes  in general  economic  or  political
conditions generally or in general economic or political  conditions  applicable
to the health care industry generally).

         "Merger" has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this
Agreement.

         "Merger Consideration" means the aggregate amount in dollars into which
the total number of shares of Stock are to be converted  at the  Effective  Time
pursuant to Section 2.1(b).

         "Millennium  Compliant"  means the  ability  to provide  the  following
functions: consistently handle date information before, during and after January
1, 2000, including, but not limited to, accepting date input, providing the date
output,  and  performing  calculations  on dates or portions of dates;  function
accurately and without  interruption  before,  during and after January 1, 2000,
without any change in operations  associated with the advent of the new century;
respond to  two-digit  date input in a way that  resolves  any  ambiguity  as to
century in a disclosed,  defined and predetermined manner; and store and provide
output of date information in ways that are unambiguous as to century.

         "Newco" means Semler Technologies, Inc., an Oregon
corporation wholly-owned by the Semlers.

         "OBCA" means the Oregon Business Corporation Act.

         "Option Value" means with respect to the portion of any Option which is
vested as of  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time, an amount equal to the
difference  between:  (a) the Per Share Merger  Consideration  for each share of
Stock  subject  to the  vested  portion  of such  Option  and (b) the  aggregate
exercise  price for all shares of Stock  subject  to the vested  portion of such
Option.

         "Other  Intellectual  Property"  means all trade  secrets,  proprietary
software   or   hardware,   proprietary   technology,   technical   information,
discoveries, designs and other proprietary rights, whether or not patentable and
confidential information (including, without limitation, know-how, processes and
technology) used in the conduct of the Company's  business or in which it has an
interest (but not including the Listed Intellectual Property).

        "Other Shareholder" means any Shareholder other than either of
the Semler Trusts.

         "Per Share Merger Consideration" means an amount in dollars (rounded to
the nearest  $0.00001)  determined by dividing (a) an amount equal to the sum of
(i) the Purchase Price and (ii) the Aggregate Option Exercise  Proceeds,  by (b)
an amount  equal to the sum of (i) the  number  of  shares of Stock  outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) the aggregate number


                                      -55-

<PAGE>



of shares of Stock  subject  to  Options  (to the extent  vested)  which  remain
unexercised  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time (for this  purpose,  the
Semler  Option and all other  Options  which are subject to Option  Cancellation
Agreements shall be considered as unexercised Options).

         "Permitted Lien" means (i) any encumbrances  disclosed on any Financial
Statement;  (ii) Tax Liens  which are not yet due and payable or which are being
contested in good faith and, with respect to which have adequately been provided
for on applicable  financial statements (whether or not required to be disclosed
under  GAAP);  (iii)  liens  incurred  in the  ordinary  course of  business  in
connection with workers compensation,  unemployment insurance and other types of
social security benefits; (iv) mechanics',  carriers', workmen's, repairmen's or
other like liens arising out of or incurred in the ordinary  course of business;
(v) liens arising under original  purchase price conditional sales contracts and
equipment  leases with third  parties  entered  into in the  ordinary  course of
business;  (vi)  liens  created  by or  existing  from any  litigation  or legal
proceeding  that is being  contested and (vii) with respect to real property and
interests therein, easements (including, without limitation, reciprocal easement
agreements  and  utility  agreements),  zoning  requirements,   rights  of  way,
covenants,  consents,  agreements,  reservations,  encroachments,  variances and
other similar  restrictions,  charges or encumbrances  (whether or not recorded)
that do not,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  impair the  continued use and
operation of the assets to which they relate the applicable business.

         "Person" and  "person"  means any natural  person and any  corporation,
trust,  partnership,  limited liability partnership,  limited liability company,
limited liability corporation, venture or business entity.

         "Purchase  Price" means: (a) $51,000,000 plus (b) if the CompressAR Net
Assets are purchased by Newco  pursuant to Section  7.12,  the sum of: (i) sixty
percent (60%) of the excess,  if any, of the Appraised Value over the book value
of the CompressAR Net Assets (as set forth in the Closing  Certificate) and (ii)
the  book  value of the  CompressAR  Net  Assets  (as set  forth in the  Closing
Certificate)  minus (c) the excess,  if any, of (i) the amount of  Transactional
Expenses as reflected in the Closing Certificate over  (ii)$1,000,000  minus (d)
the greater of any Net Current  Assets  Shortfall  or the  Shareholders'  Equity
Shortfall as reflected in the Closing Certificate.

         "Related Party Agreements" means the following  collectively:  (A) LOAN
AND STOCK  OPTION  AGREEMENT  dated  June 12,  1991,  by and among the  Company,
Herbert J. Semler, individually and as Trustee U/T/A dtd 05/25/93 FBO Herbert J.
Semler,  and Shirley L. Semler,  individually  and as Trustee U/T/A dtd 05/25/93
FBO Shirley L. Semler, and CCI; (b) LOAN MODIFICATION AGREEMENT dated as of June
20,  1996 by and among the  Company,  Herbert  J.  Semler,  individually  and as
Trustee  U/T/A dtd  05/25/93  FBO  Herbert J.  Semler,  and  Shirley L.  Semler,
individually  and as Trustee  U/T/A dtd 05/25/93 FBO Shirley L. Semler,  and CCI
and Side Letter  Agreement  (interest  calculation)  in connection with the Loan
Modification  Agreement  dated as of June 20, 1996; (C) AMENDMENT,  EXERCISE AND
TERMINATION OF STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT dated as of June 20, 1996, as amended,  by
and among the Company, Herbert J. Semler,  individually and as Trustee U/T/A dtd
05/25/93  FBO Herbert J.  Semler,  and Shirley L.  Semler,  individually  and as
Trustee  U/T/A dtd  05/25/93 FBO Shirley L.  Semler,  and CCI; (D)  REGISTRATION
RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated as of June 20, 1996 by and among the Company,  Herbert J.
Semler,  individually  and as Trustee  U/T/A dtd 05/25/93 FBO Herbert J. Semler,
and  Shirley L.  Semler,  individually  and as Trustee  U/T/A dtd  05/25/93  FBO
Shirley L. Semler and


                                      -56-

<PAGE>



CCI; (e) INSTROMEDIX, INC. BUY-SELL AGREEMENT dated as of June 10,1996 by and
among the Company, Herbert J. and Shirley L. Semler, Trustees, and Gregory T.
Semler; (F) VOTING AGREEMENT dated as of June 10, 1996 by and among the Company
Herbert J. Semler, Shirley L. Semler and Gregory T. Semler and Amendment No. 1
to the Voting Agreement dated July 1, 1996; (g) STOCK PURCHASE AND PLEDGE
AGREEMENT dated June 10, 1996 by and between Herbert J. Semler, Trustee U/T/A
dtd 05/25/93 FBO Herbert J. Semler, and Shirley L. Semler, Trustee U/T/A dtd
05/25/93 FBO Shirley L. Semler and Gregory T. Semler; and (h) STOCK PLEDGE AND
ASSIGNMENT FOR SECURITY dated June 17, 1991 by and among Herbert J. Semler,
Shirley L. Semler, individually and as trustees of the Shirley L. Semler
Family Trust and the Herbert J. Semler Family Trust, and CCI.

                  "Release"  means  any  discharge,  emission,  spill,  leakage,
deposit,  injection,  migration on or into the indoor or outdoor  environment or
into or out of any  property,  including,  but not limited  to, a  "Release"  as
defined in CERCLA at 42 U.S.C. ss. 9601(22).

                  "Remaining Percentage" means 100% minus the Initial
Percentage.

                  "Remedial  Action"  means all actions,  including  any capital
expenditures,  required by any Governmental Authority or under any Environmental
Laws or which a reasonable  Person would undertake  voluntarily to (i) clean up,
remove,  treat,  or in any other way address any  Hazardous  Materials  or other
substance;  (ii)  prevent  the Release or threat of  Release,  or  minimize  the
further Release of any Hazardous  Materials;  (iii) perform pre-remedial studies
and  investigations or post- remedial  monitoring,  operations,  maintenance and
care;  or (iv) bring  facilities  and  operations  at or on any property  owned,
operated or leased by the Company and its Affiliates  into  compliance  with all
Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits.

                  "Rights"  means  any  right  (including,  without  limitation,
conversion or exchange right); option;  warrant; call; put or similar commitment
of any character, authorized, granted or issued; right to acquire, or to require
purchase of, any security;  right to acquire an equity interest, or any interest
measured by income,  profits or any results of operations or by the value of any
stock, or any similar or related right or interest.

                  "Semler  Option" means the options to purchase  500,000 shares
of Voting Common Stock granted under the Stock Option Agreement dated January 5,
1996  between the Company and Gregory T.  Semler,  as amended by the  Separation
Agreement  between the  Company  and  Gregory T. Semler  dated as of November 8,
1996.

                  "Semler  Trusts"  means  collectively,  the  Herbert J. Semler
Family  Trust  established  under  Trust  Agreement  dated May 25,  1993 for the
benefit of Herbert J. Semler and the Shirley L. Semler Family Trust  established
under Trust Agreement dated May 25, 1993 for the benefit of Shirley M. Semler.

                  "Senior Credit  Agreement" means the Credit Agreement dated as
of November 26, 1996 among Advanced  Medical,  Inc., IMED  Corporation,  various
lending institutions, Bankers Trust Company, Banque Paribas and Donaldson Lufkin
& Jenrette Securities Corporation.



                                      -57-

<PAGE>



                  "Shareholder Consent" has the meaning set forth in the
recitals to this Agreement.

                  "Shareholder  Indebtedness"  means the aggregate amount of the
Shareholder  Notes together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the
Final  Payment  Date;  provided  that,  from the Closing  Date through the Final
Payment  Date,  interest on the  Shareholder  Notes shall accrue at the interest
rate in effect on the  Closing  Date under the  Company's  term loan with United
States National Bank of Oregon and each  Shareholder  Note shall be deemed to be
amended accordingly.

                  "Shareholder Notes" means the outstanding  indebtedness of the
Semlers to the  Company  pursuant  to the  promissory  notes  listed on Schedule
4.1(c).

          "Shareholder  Percentage" means with respect to any Shareholder,  100%
multiplied  by a fraction,  the numerator of which shall be the number of shares
of Stock owned by such Shareholder  immediately  prior to the Effective Time and
the  denominator  of  which  shall  be the  total  number  of  shares  of  Stock
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.

              "Stock" means the Voting Common Stock and the Non-Voting
Common Stock of the Company, collectively.

              "Stock  Option  Plan" means the stock  option plan  adopted by the
Board of Directors of the Company in 1992, as amended.

           "Subsidiary"  means with respect to any Person, (a) each corporation,
partnership,  joint  venture or other legal  entity of which such  Person  owns,
either  directly  or  indirectly,  more  than 50% of the  stock or other  equity
interests the holders of which are  generally  entitled to vote for the election
of the  board  of  directors  or  similar  governing  body of such  corporation,
partnership,  joint venture or other legal entity, (b) each partnership in which
such  Person or another  Subsidiary  of such  Person is the  general or managing
partner and (c) each limited  liability  company in which such Person or another
Subsidiary  of such Person is the  managing  member or  otherwise  controls  (by
contract, through ownership of membership interests or otherwise).

                  "Surviving Corporation" has the meaning set forth in the
recitals to this Agreement.

          "Tax" or "Taxes"  means all taxes,  charges,  fees,  imposts,  duties,
levies  or  other  assessments  by  any  Taxing  Authority,  including  (without
limitation),  all net income,  alternative or add-on  minimum,  gross  receipts,
capital,  sales, use, ad valorem,  value added,  transfer,  franchise,  profits,
inventory,  capital stock, license,  withholding,  payroll,  employment,  social
security,   unemployment,   excise,  severance,  stamp,  occupation,   property,
estimated, together with any interest and any penalties, fines, additions to tax
or additional  amounts (whether disputed or not) imposed by any Taxing Authority
(domestic or foreign) and shall include any  transferee  liability in respect of
Taxes.

                  "Taxing Authority" means any Governmental Authority.

            "Tax Lien" or "Tax Liens" means any  Encumbrance  relating to Taxes,
other than a lien of the type  described  in clause  (ii) of the  definition  of
Permitted Liens.


                                      -58-

<PAGE>



         "Tax Return" or "Tax Returns" means any United States  Federal,  state,
local  and/or  foreign  return,  declaration,   report,  claim  for  refund,  or
information return or statement  relating to Taxes,  including all schedules and
attachments thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

         "Transactional  Expenses"  means all costs and  expenses  of any nature
whatsoever  incurred by the Company at any time (including  prior to the date of
this  Agreement) or for which the Company has become or may become liable in the
future (including such amounts which Purchaser pays pursuant to Section 13.7) in
connection with the negotiation,  preparation and execution of this Agreement or
the consummation of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  including fees and
expenses of BT Alex.Brown;  Latham & Watkins; Stoel Rives LLP; Kolisch Hartwell,
Dickinson, McCormack & Heuser; and Price Waterhouse LLP.

         14.2.  Terms Defined  Elsewhere in the Agreement.  For purposes of this
Agreement,  the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in the section
indicated:

Term                                                 Section

Articles of Merger                                   1.2
Assignee                                             13.5
Balance Sheet                                        4.6
Balance Sheet Date                                   4.6
Benefit Plans                                        4.14
BT Alex. Brown                                       4.19
CCI                                                  3.1
Certificates                                         2.4
Closing                                              1.3
Closing Balance Sheet                                2.2
Closing Certificate                                  9.10
Closing Date                                         1.3
Company Representatives                              7.9
CompressAR Net Assets                                7.12
Confidentiality Agreement                            6.2
Defined Benefit Plan                                 4.14
Disputed Amount                                      2.2
Due Date                                             2.2
Effective Time                                       1.2
Employee Benefit Plan                                4.14
Employee Pension Benefit Plans                       4.14
Employee Welfare Benefit Plans                       4.14
Employees                                            4.14
Final Closing Balance Sheet                          2.2
Final Determination                                  12.6
Financial Statements                                 4.6
First Business Day                                   2.1
501(k)                                               4.23
Forms 483s                                           4.23


                                      -59-

<PAGE>



IDE                                                  4.23
Indemnified Party                                    12.4
Indemnifying Party                                   12.4
Initiating Person                                    13.12
Intellectual Property Claim                          12.4
Leased Real Property                                 4.9
Listed Intellectual Property                         4.1
Losses                                               12.2
Minimum Amount                                       12.2
Multiemployer Plan                                   4.14
Multiple Employer Plan                               4.14
Net Current Assets Shortfall                         2.2
1997 Special Purpose Balance Sheet                   4.6
1997 Special Purpose Statement of Operations4.6
Non-Voting Common Stock                              4.3
Option and Options                                   2.1
Option Cancellation Agreement                        2.1
Option Notice Period                                 7.14
PaceArt Matter                                       6.1
PMA                                                  4.23
Purchaser Indemnitee                                 12.2
Ralin License Agreement                              4.10
Scheduled Closing Date                               1.3
Shareholder Representative                           13.7
Shareholders' Equity Shortfall                       2.2
Total Option Cancellation Amount                     2.1
Voting Common Stock                                  4.3


                                      -60-

<PAGE>



                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement  and Plan of Merger to be duly  executed  the day and year first above
written.


                              ALARIS MEDICAL, INC.


                              By: -------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                              INSTROMEDIX, INC.


                              By:--------------------------------------
                                 Name:
                                 Title:



                                ----------------------------
                                 Herbert J. Semler



                                ----------------------------
                                 Shirley L. Semler


                                 SHAREHOLDERS



                                ----------------------------
                                 Shelli Joy Semler



                                ----------------------------
                                 Gregory T. Semler



                                ----------------------------
                                 Jill Ann Semler Rubinstein





                                      -61-

<PAGE>




                                 ----------------------------
                                  H. Eric Semler



                                 ----------------------------
                                 Matthew D. Semler


                                 ----------------------------
                                 Herbert J. Semler Family Trust



                                 By:----------------------------
                                 Herbert J. Semler, Trustee


                                 ----------------------------
                                 Shirley L. Semler Family Trust



                                 By:----------------------------
                                 Shirley L. Semler, Trustee



                                 Capital Consultants, Inc.



                                  By:----------------------------
                                     Name:
                                     Title:





        [continuation of signature page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]


                                      -62-

<PAGE>




                          ALARIS MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.


                         By:----------------------------
                                      Name:
                                     Title:
















        [continuation of signature page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]


                                      -63-

<PAGE>



                                                             EXHIBIT 2(b)

ALARIS Medical, Inc. hereby agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange
Commission, upon its request, the schedules and exhibits to the Agreement and
Plan of Merger dated June 24, 1998 by and among ALARIS Medical, Inc., ALARIS
Medical Systems, Inc., Dr. Herbert and Mrs. Shirley Semler, Instromedix, Inc.
and the shareholders of Instromedix, Inc. filed as Exhibit 2(a) to ALARIS
Medical, Inc.'s Form 8-K dated July 30, 1998.

                                          ALARIS MEDICAL, INC.



Date:    July 29, 1998                    By:  /s/William J. Mercer
                                               William J. Mercer
                                               President and CEO



<PAGE>




                                                             EXHIBIT 99(a)
                      SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA OF INSTROMEDIX
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

         The following summary financial data of Instromedix for the years ended
December 31, 1995,  1996 and 1997 have been derived from  Instromedix's  audited
financial  statements.  The summary  financial data of Instromedix for the three
months  ended March 31, 1997 and as of and for the three  months ended March 31,
1998 have been derived from the unaudited  financial  statements of  Instromedix
which, in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments (consisting only of
normal and  recurring  adjustments)  necessary to present  fairly  Instromedix's
financial position and results of operations at such dates and for such periods.
Operating  results for the three months ended March 31, 1998 are not necessarily
indicative of results to be expected for the full year. The financial statements
of Instromedix are not included in the Offering Memorandum.


<TABLE>


                                                                                    THREE MONTHS
                                                                                      ENDED
                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,          MARCH 31,
                                            ---------------------------------   ---------------------

                                              1995        1996        1997        1997       1998
                                             -------     -------    -------     --------    -------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA: (1)
Sales ...................................   $ 20,730    $ 22,816    $ 22,001    $  4,740    $  4,742
Cost of sales ...........................      7,069       9,069       9,416       1,757       2,266
                                            --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Gross Margin ............................     13,661      13,747      12,585       2,983       2,476
Selling, marketing and administrative (2)      7,798       8,661       9,174       2,094       2,226
Research and development ................      2,508       3,045       2,410       1,057         400
Restructuring costs .....................       --           466        --          --          --
                                            --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Income (loss) from operations ...........      3,355       1,575       1,001        (168)       (150)
Interest expense ........................        (71)       (428)       (619)       (154)       (149)
Other income ............................         92         129         107          26          37
                                            --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Income (loss) before income taxes .......      3,376       1,276         489        (296)       (262)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes         67          47         189        (116)        (13)
                                            --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Net income (loss) .......................   $  3,309    $  1,229    $    300    $   (180)   $   (249)

OTHER DATA: (1)
EBITDA (3) ..............................   $  3,769    $  2,325    $  1,909    $     47    $     72
Depreciation and amortization ...........        414         750         908         215         222
Capital expenditures ....................        789         330         214         230          38

</TABLE>


                                                                AT MARCH 31,
                                                                   1998
                                                                 ---------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash .........................................................   $     5
Working capital ..............................................     3,032
Total assets .................................................    10,372
Long-term debt (including current portion of all indebtedness)     5,245




                                                         1

<PAGE>



Stockholders' equity                          2,319

- ---------------------------------------------
(1)   Includes  operating  and  balance  sheet data  related  to the  CompressAR
      Division  (as  defined)  product  line,  which at the  election of certain
      shareholders of  Instromedix,  may be retained by such  shareholders.  The
      sales and EBITDA  attributable  to this product line were $2,720 and $993,
      $465 and $92, and $474 and $30, respectively,  for the year ended December
      31, 1997 and the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
      See "The Acquisition").

(2)   Includes $490, $565, $153 and $232 of board  administration  costs for the
      fiscal  years 1996 and 1997 and the three  months ended March 31, 1997 and
      1998, respectively,  which would not have been incurred by the Company and
      will not be incurred by the Company upon consummation of the Acquisition.

(3)   As presented, EBITDA represents income from operations before depreciation
      and amortization.  EBITDA does not represent net income or cash flows from
      operation,  as these terms are defined under generally accepted accounting
      principles,  and should not be considered as an  alternative to net income
      as an indicators of Instromedix's  operating  performance or to cash flows
      as a measure of liquidity. The Company has included information concerning
      EBITDA herein  because it  understands  that such  information  is used by
      certain  investors  as one  measure of an entity's  historical  ability to
      service debt.




                                        2

<PAGE>




                                                       ALARIS MEDICAL, INC.
                                                       CORPORATE OFFICE
                                                       10221 WATERIDGE CIRCLE
                                                       SAN DIEGO, CA 92121-2733
                                                       (619) 458-7000
                                                       FAX (619) 458-7760


[company logo]



                                                               NEWS RELEASE


AT THE
COMPANY:            AT INSTROMEDIX        THE FINANCIAL
                                          RELATIONS BOARD:
Barbara Burkett     Shelli Semler         Stacy Roughan
Director, Corporate Director of Marketing General Information
Communications      Communications         (310) 442-0599
(619) 458-7038      (503) 681-9000 X349

KETCHUM:
Michaelle Burstin   Kali Coffman
Media Contact       Trade Contact
(310) 442-0599    (310) 444-1394

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 25, 1998


              ALARIS MEDICAL TO ACQUIRE PRIVATELY HELD INSTROMEDIX

     ACQUISITION SECURES TELEMEDICINE TECHNOLOGY, CARDIAC DISEASE DIAGNOSIS
                       AND PATIENT MONITORING CAPABILITIES

SAN  DIEGO,  CA,  JUNE 25,  1998 --  ALARIS  Medical,  Inc.  (NASDAQ:  ALRS) and
family-owned  Instromedix,  Inc. today jointly announced an agreement for ALARIS
Medical to acquire  Instromedix.  Under the terms of the agreement,  Instromedix
will join ALARIS Medical's wholly-owned subsidiary, ALARIS Medical Systems, Inc.
adding  pioneering  expertise  in  telemedicine  and an  array  of more  than 20
products  addressing  cardiac disease diagnosis and remote patient monitoring to
the Company's global product portfolio.

ALARIS  Medical  President and CEO William J. Mercer said,  "In 1997, we brought
together IVAC and IMED, two distinguished  pioneers in drug delivery systems and
vital signs monitoring to create ALARIS Medical Systems.  Integration of the two
companies  was  completed  in  record  time,  built  on the  reliable  cashflows
generated from infusion therapy and periodic patient monitoring  disposables.  A
healthy core  business  provides us with a platform for  expansion  into several
growth segments which complement our historical areas of strength."

"We believe the convergence of patient monitoring, drug infusion and information
technology is an opportunity to strengthen our competency in integrated  patient
care  systems,  and support our  developing  focus on disease  state  management
applications  and remote  communication  capabilities  for both the hospital and
alternate site markets," said Vice President for Corporate  Development,  ALARIS
Medical  Systems,  Anthony B. Semedo.  "The right  combination of  complementary
technologies,  products  and  companies  will  allow us to  leverage  our global
infrastructure  and  distribution  channels  and  become  a  leader  in  medical
instrumentation and specialty devices at the patient bedside," Semedo added.

The outstanding shares of Instromedix will be acquired in a purchase transaction
valued at approximately $55 million. The acquisition is expected to be accretive
in approximately 24 to 36 months. ALARIS Medical expects revenues to



<PAGE>



increase as Instromedix  products are distributed  through its extensive  global
distribution network. Completion of the acquisition,  which has been approved by
the respective Boards of Directors of both companies, is subject to satisfactory
completion of customary conditions.

Based in Hillsboro, Oregon, Instromedix was founded as a family-owned company in
1969 by Dr.  Herbert and Shirley  Semler.  It has grown to be a world  leader in
telecardiology,  specializing in non-invasive, portable cardiac event monitoring
and pacemaker follow-up systems.  With approximately 150 employees,  the company
markets its products directly to physicians, clinics, hospitals and managed care
facilities and maintains global distributorships.

"We  founded  the company  with a vision to create  'Tools for  medicine to help
human kind,'" stated Dr. Semler,  Chairman and CEO of  Instromedix.  "We believe
the merger with ALARIS Medical unites mutual  synergies to continue the founding
vision."

"We are proud to have attracted worldwide recognition for our family of products
and systems which are innovative and beautifully designed and, more importantly,
help  to  save  lives,"  added  Shirley  Semler,  Executive  Vice  President  of
Instromedix.

"The  increasing  demands  for  improved  patient  care  call for more  flexible
technology in the hands of caregivers,"  Mercer said. "The technology  pioneered
and  developed  by  Instromedix  over the past 30 years  provides  an  excellent
platform on which to expand the product  portfolio of ALARIS Medical -- products
that will span the continuum of care,  from hospital to alternate  site and into
the patient's home."

Semedo  said,  "The  advanced   communications   capabilities  inherent  in  the
Instromedix  technology allow for remote voice over data  communication  between
patients and caregivers located virtually  anywhere.  The potential outcome will
be to lower the cost of care,  improve  patient  safety and  improve the overall
quality of care."

CARDIAC EVENT RECORDERS PROVIDE VALUABLE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL

In the  U.S.  alone,  over two  million  people  suffer  from  symptoms  such as
irregular heartbeats,  dizziness and fainting.  Typically,  these symptoms occur
outside the clinical setting so that detection and diagnosis become difficult if
not impossible.  Left untreated,  these symptoms could lead to a heart attach or
even  sudden  death.   Through   miniaturization  and  proprietary   technology,
Instromedix    cardiac   event    recorders    enable    transmission   of   the
electrocardiograms to the physician,  hospital or medical facility,  providing a
low-cost method for diagnosing heart irregularities  associated with potentially
life-threatening symptoms.

Instromedix cardiac event recorders are available in wristwatch design and pager
and credit card sizes.  Lightweight and easy to use, these products  include the
HeartWatch  (worn on the  wrist),  the  HeartCard  (a credit  card-sized  device
applied  directly to the chest) and the King of Hearts Express (a looping memory
device), all physician-prescribed according to the needs of each patient.

TELECARDIOLOGY CONNECTS PATIENT AND CAREGIVER

In addition to transtelephonic  cardiac event recorders,  pacemaker monitors and
ECG receivers,  Instromedix designs and manufactures The LifeSigns System, which
delivers  hospital-grade  vital  signs  monitoring  in an  out-patient  setting.
Designed for rapid access and timely  assessment of a patient's  condition,  the
easy-to-use  system enables  communication  via a standard phone line to connect
patient and clinician while transmitting vital signs data.

COMPANY TO FOCUS ON CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

"Cardiovascular  diseases  is a  primary  focus  of our  growth  strategy  and a
centerpiece  for  expansion  of our  core  business.  Over  the  past 30  years,
Instromedix has developed  world class  competence in cardiac  monitoring.  This
provides  a  foundation  upon  which  to  build a global  competitor  along  the
continuum of care in monitoring, diagnosing and treating



<PAGE>


heart disease.  We are delighted to welcome Instromedix into the ALARIS Medical
family of businesses," Mercer said.

ALARIS Medical,  Inc.,  through its operating  company,  ALARIS Medical Systems,
Inc., is known for its IMED and IVAC brand names of intravenous infusion therapy
systems. The Company's principal line of business is the design, manufacture and
marketing of intravenous infusion therapy products,  periodic patient monitoring
instruments and related  disposables.  ALARIS Medical's products are distributed
to more  than 120  countries  worldwide.  In  addition  to its San  Diego  world
headquarters and manufacturing facility, the Company also operates manufacturing
facilities in Creedmoor,  NC, Basingstoke,  Hampshire,  UK, and Tijuana, Mexico.
Additional  information  on ALARIS  Medical  can be found at  www.alarismed.com.
Additional  information  on  Instromedix  can be found  through  a link from the
ALARIS Medical website to www.instromedix.com.

THIS NEWS RELEASE  CONTAINS  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS WHICH ARE BASED LARGELY
UPON THE COMPANY'S  EXPECTATIONS  FOR DEMAND AND  ACCEPTANCE OF NEW AND EXISTING
PRODUCTS,  TECHNOLOGIES AND OPPORTUNITIES,  REGULATORY  APPROVALS AND MARKET AND
INDUSTRY  SEGMENT  GROWTH.  ACTUAL  RESULTS  COULD  VARY  MATERIALLY  FROM THESE
EXPECTED  RESULTS DUE TO A VARIETY OF FACTORS,  INCLUDING,  WITHOUT  LIMITATION,
CHANGES  IN  THE  MARKET,   COMPETITION,   GOVERNMENT   REGULATION  AND  FOREIGN
OPERATIONS.  SUCH RISK  FACTORS ARE  DETAILED  IN THE  SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE
COMMISSION  FILINGS OF ALARIS  MEDICAL,  INC.  INCLUDING  FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997.



<PAGE>




                                                       ALARIS MEDICAL, INC.
                                                       CORPORATE OFFICE
                                                       10221 WATERIDGE CIRCLE
                                                       SAN DIEGO, CA 92121-2733
                                                       (619) 458-7000
                                                       FAX (619) 458-7760


[company logo]



                                                                   NEWS RELEASE


AT THE COMPANY:          The Financial Relations Board:           KETCHUM:
Barbara Burkett          Stacy Roughan         Marjorie Ornston   Kali Coffman
Director,                General Information   Media Contact      Trade Contact
Corporate Communications (310) 442-0599        (310) 442-0599     (310) 444-1394
(619) 458-7038
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 20, 1998


               ALARIS MEDICAL COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF INSTROMEDIX

     ACQUISITION SECURES TELEMEDICINE TECHNOLOGY, CARDIAC DISEASE DIAGNOSIS
                       AND PATIENT MONITORING CAPABILITIES


SAN  DIEGO,  CA,  JULY 20,  1998 --  ALARIS  Medical,  Inc.  (NASDAQ:  ALRS) and
privately  held  Instromedix,  Inc.  today jointly  announced  completion of the
acquisition  of  the  stock  of   Instromedix  by  the  Company's   wholly-owned
subsidiary,  ALARIS  Medical  Systems,  Inc.  The  total  consideration  for the
acquisition  consisted of $51 million in cash,  subject to certain  adjustments,
the assumption of approximately $5.1 million of indebtedness of Instromedix, and
the  payment of  approximately  $1.0  million of  certain  transaction  expenses
incurred by Instromedix relating the acquisition.

The  acquisition  of Instromedix  adds a portfolio of products  which  primarily
address cardiac disease diagnosis,  vital signs monitoring and management to the
Company's existing product lines, and focuses on the delivery of patient care in
the alternate-site setting.

"The  Company  believes  that  the  convergence  of  infusion  therapy,  patient
monitoring,  specialty  medical  devices and advanced data  management will be a
clear,  defining  feature of health care in the next  century,"  said William J.
Mercer, President and CEO. "The right combination of complementary technologies,
products and companies will enable ALARIS Medical Systems,  Inc. to leverage its
global  infrastructure and distribution channels and become a leader in advanced
medical  instruments and specialty devices at the patient bedside and throughout
the continuum of care."

Based in  Hillsboro,  Oregon,  Instromedix  was  founded in 1969.  Instromedix's
products fall into three major categories:

Arrhythmia Event Recorders which are portable devises used to monitor,
record and subsequently transmit



<PAGE>


cardia events (including arrhythmia, the irregular beating of the
heart) via a standard telephone line to a remote
location;

Pacemaker  Monitors  which are  portable  devices  used to help  physicians  and
patients   monitor  the  performance  and  medical   compliance  of  implantable
pacemakers as recommended by manufacturers; and

The  LifeSigns  System  which  is a  proprietary,  computer-based  software  and
hardware  system that enables remote  monitoring,  diagnosis and data capture of
selected vital signs.

Instromedix's revenues are derived principally from the sale of products used in
the  alternate-site  care  setting,  primarily in the  patient's  home or in the
physician's office.

This news release  contains  forward-looking  statements  based largely upon the
Company's  expectations for demand and acceptance of new and existing  products,
technologies  and  opportunities,  regulatory  approvals and market and industry
segment growth. Actual results could vary materially from these expected results
due to a variety  of  factors,  including,  without  limitation,  changes in the
market,  competition,  government  regulation and foreign operations.  Such risk
factors are detailed in the Securities and Exchange Commission filings of ALARIS
Medical, Inc. including Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

ALARIS Medical,  Inc.  through its operating  company,  ALARIS Medical  Systems,
Inc., is known for its IMED and IVAC brand names of intravenous infusion therapy
systems. The Company's principal line of business is the design, manufacture and
marketing  of  intravenous   infusion  therapy  products,   patient   monitoring
instruments and related  disposables.  The Company's products are distributed to
more  than  120  countries  worldwide.  In  addition  to  its  San  Diego  world
headquarters and  manufacturing  facility,  the Company  operates  manufacturing
facilities in Creedmoor,  NC; Hillsboro,  OR;  Basingstoke,  Hampshire,  UK; and
Tijuana,  Mexico.  Additional  information  on  ALARIS  Medical  can be found at
www.alarismed.com.





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